Japanese sedge vs Morrow’s sedge

Japanese sedge and Morrow’s sedge are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Japanese sedge

Carex oshimensis 45 cm × 45 cm after 10 years

A low evergreen sedge with arching leaves, sold almost only in yellow or cream striped forms. It suits the edge of a part-shaded bed, the ground under…

Ornamental grass

Full sun

Part shade

from about PLN 19

Morrow’s sedge

Carex morrowii 40 cm × 50 cm after 10 years

An evergreen sedge that forms dense, arching, grass-like clumps, grown mostly as cultivars with white or cream leaf margins. Use it under trees and…

Ornamental grass

Part shade

Shade

from about PLN 20

Key differences

Japanese sedge grows taller, Morrow’s sedge spreads wider: 45 cm × 45 cm and 40 cm × 50 cm after ten years.
Morrow’s sedge tolerates drought better than Japanese sedge.
Japanese sedge also takes chalky soil, Morrow’s sedge prefers acidic soil and struggles on chalk (an estimate: sources differ).
Morrow’s sedge also grows in shade, Japanese sedge does not.

Which one to choose?

Japanese sedge is the better choice if the soil is chalky.

Morrow’s sedge is the better choice if you cannot water regularly or the spot is shady.

Watch out for

Japanese sedge

In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe the leaf tips brown in full sun and drying soil, so give it part shade and watering. In hard winters without snow cover the foliage can scorch: do not cut it to the ground in spring, just comb out the dead leaves. Aphids are an occasional nuisance.

Morrow’s sedge

No serious pests or diseases. In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe it bleaches and scorches in sunny spots and the leaf tips brown when the soil dries out, so it wants a shadier place and watering in drought. In hard winters without snow cover the foliage can turn brown: comb out or cut back the dead leaves in late winter and it regrows in spring.

The data side by side

Feature	Japanese sedge	Morrow’s sedge
Group	Ornamental grass	Ornamental grass
Size after 10 years	45 cm × 45 cm	40 cm × 50 cm
Ultimate size	25–45 cm × 30–45 cm	30–45 cm × 30–60 cm
Growth rate	Medium (uncertain)	Slow (uncertain)
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic (uncertain)	Average garden soil, Clay, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Medium (uncertain)	no data
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	May–June, green	April–July, green (uncertain)
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low	Medium
Maintenance	Low	Low
Planting distance	35 cm	35 cm
Typical price	approx. PLN 19	approx. PLN 20

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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