The Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’ is a genus from the Cyperaceae family and is commonly called leatherleaf sedge. The Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’ is native to New Zealand.
The leatherleaf sedge is a beautiful grass-like plant with thin upright red-brown leaves with triangular stems. The Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’ forms tufts that slowly grow wider. The color may give the leaves a dried look though they are growing normally. Although the Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’ may look like an ornamental grass it is not a grass.
The flowers do not have much ornamental value. The Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’ produces seeds and spreads with those. The seedlings are easy to remove if they grow in an unwanted spot so that is not a problem.
The leaves may wither when it is too cold in the winter but in spring new leaves will form. It is best to remove the dead leaves in spring to make room for the new ones.
The leatherleaf sedge prefers an sunny spot with well-drained, moist soil.
Attracts bees: no
Characteristic: evergreen
Deer resistant: yes
Exposure: sun/ part shade
Flower color: brown
Flowering time: June – July
Foliage color: red/brown
Fragrant flower: no
Hardiness: -20 ºC (-4 F)
Height: 20 inches (50 cm)
Soil: normal/ moist