Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire' – A Striking Ornamental Grass with Warm Copper Tones
Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire' is a stunning ornamental, evegreen perennial grass known for its striking warm coppery-orange foliage that adds vibrant colour and texture to any garden. This hardy, evergreen grass creates an eye-catching presence in borders, containers, or as a groundcover, providing movement and visual interest throughout the year. Its graceful, arching leaves and dynamic colouring make it an ideal choice for contemporary, low-maintenance gardens.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
Spring:
- In spring, 'Prairie Fire' begins with fresh, green leaves that gradually transition to a warm, golden-copper colour, creating a vibrant backdrop for other plants in the garden.
- Its arching, upright form starts to fill out, offering structure and texture to garden beds.
Summer:
- The foliage continues to deepen in colour, shifting to rich, orange-copper tones. Its upright form maintains a neat and graceful presence, adding an elegant touch to the garden.
- The plant thrives in sunny spots and requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscapes.
Autumn:
- In autumn, the colour intensifies, with the copper tones becoming even more pronounced. The foliage provides a beautiful contrast against other autumnal plants, adding warmth to the landscape.
- The soft, feathery appearance of the foliage creates a soothing, textured effect in the garden.
Winter:
- The evergreen leaves persist through winter, retaining their warm copper tones, providing year-round interest and structure.
- 'Prairie Fire' offers a striking contrast against the bare landscape, especially when covered in frost or snow, adding visual interest during the colder months.
Structure & Form
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Height & Spread: 'Prairie Fire' grows to a height of approximately 40–50cm with a spread of 30–40cm, making it an ideal size for smaller gardens, borders, or containers.
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Form: The grass has an elegant, arching habit with long, narrow, linear leaves that create a soft, flowing effect in the landscape.
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Growth Habit: 'Prairie Fire' grows in neat clumps, slowly spreading over time. It is an excellent option for groundcover, creating a cohesive and low-maintenance addition to garden beds.
Perfect for Various Landscapes
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Contemporary Gardens: The striking colour and form of 'Prairie Fire' make it a perfect addition to modern or minimalist gardens where its warmth can complement sleek design elements.
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Borders & Edges: Use it as a low-maintenance, colourful border plant, providing a soft, natural edging to garden beds or pathways.
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Containers & Patios: Its compact size and vibrant colour make 'Prairie Fire' ideal for pots and containers, bringing movement and warmth to patios or balconies.
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Wildlife Gardens: Attractive to birds and beneficial insects, it is an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens, providing habitat and food sources for pollinators.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Prefers full sun to partial shade. In full sun, the colours will be most vibrant and the plant will have the best growth.
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Soil: Thrives in well-drained, moist, fertile soil. It is adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy or loamy soils, but does not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
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Maintenance: Low-maintenance. Minimal pruning is needed, although cutting back the foliage in late winter or early spring helps to maintain a tidy appearance. It is drought-tolerant once established and can withstand dry periods, though occasional watering in dry spells will encourage better growth.
Why Choose Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire'?
Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire' is an exceptional ornamental grass that offers vibrant, coppery-orange foliage and a graceful, arching form. With its easy care and ability to thrive in various growing conditions, it is ideal for adding texture, colour, and movement to gardens, borders, and containers. Its striking appearance and year-round interest make it a must-have for contemporary or low-maintenance landscapes.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Other Grasses: Pair with ornamental grasses like Miscanthus or Festuca for a complementary mix of textures and colours.
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Perennials: Combine with plants like Echinacea, Rudbeckia, or Astilbe for a beautiful contrast of forms and colours.
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Shrubs: Pair with evergreen shrubs like Boxwood, Juniper, or Ilex for added structure and a year-round contrast.
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Flowering Plants: Combine with flowers like Lavender, Salvia, or Nepeta for a soothing, textured planting scheme.
Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire' is a versatile and attractive ornamental grass that brings vibrant colour and movement to any garden. Its warm copper hues and graceful form make it an ideal choice for adding texture and visual interest to a range of landscapes, while its low-maintenance care ensures it will thrive with minimal attention. Perfect for contemporary gardens, containers, or borders, 'Prairie Fire' is a standout addition to any outdoor space
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
