Buchanan's Sedge, Or Buchanan

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Buchanan's sedge, or Buchanan (lat. Carex buchananii) - a herbaceous evergreen plant of the genus Sedge (lat. Carex) of the family of the same name Sedge (lat. Cyperaceae). Born in the warm climate of New Zealand, the plant boldly moved to more northern lands, where it learned to endure frost, hiding under a layer of protective mulch. Buchanan's sedge is eagerly planted in gardens to create a color contrast in a green garden with a vertical clump of cinnamon-colored cinnamon-colored leaves.

What's in your name

Plants have earned the generic Latin name "Carex" for their narrow leaves, on the sharp edges of which it is very easy to cut the skin. That is why botanists named the genus by the Latin word, which in our language means “cut, cut off”. In the Old Slavonic language, the word sounded like "misfires", which gave the Russian name of the genus - Osoka.

The Latin specific epithet "buchananii" is translated into Russian in several versions due to the different approach to the transcription of this word. Some believe that "Buchanana" should be pronounced, others insist on "Buchanan". Therefore, everyone can choose for himself the option that sounds more pleasant to his ear.

And this specific epithet was born in honor of the memory of the botanist of New Zealand, John Buchanan (1819 - 1898), who devoted his labor activity to the study of indigenous grasses of New Zealand, where the described sedge species comes from. John Buchanan is the author of several works on plants in New Zealand, illustrated by the hand of the botanist himself.

Description

Somewhat strangely sound at the same time about one plant such phrases as "evergreen" and hair-like leaves "with cinnamon-bronze or copper-brown color." But this is exactly how the thermophilic Buchanan sedge is described, which was born on the moist soils of warm New Zealand and has gained the greatest popularity among the numerous hairy-deciduous sedges in this region.

Very small Sedge flowers that appear at the beginning or middle of summer do not affect the decorativeness of the plant, but it is necessary for it to continue life on the planet.

Use as an ornamental plant

Buchanan's sedge is a very popular plant, showing a dense shock of hairy copper-bronze colored evergreen leaves to the surface of the earth. As long as the grass is young, erect, narrow leaves point their sharp tips straight into the sky. Over time, the leaves begin to bend gracefully, turning their tips towards the soil surface. The Buchanan Sedge color scheme is an outstanding addition to any sunny garden.

Much more successful Buchanan's sedge grows in milder climates. But, the height of the plant, which ranges from 30 to 60 centimeters, allows you to grow sedge in containers so that you can move them to a warm room during the cold period. In addition, in regions where there are no severe prolonged frosts, the plant is able to overwinter under cover.

Buchanan's sedge combines beautifully with flowering bulbs and other perennials to create elegant and exciting combinations with minimal maintenance.

The plant prefers full sun, although it tolerates light shade. Soils are needed moist, with good drainage, which prevents water from stagnating and provoking fungal diseases.

It can be affected by the omnivorous and ubiquitous aphid, although, as a rule, it is quite resistant to diseases.

Propagate Buchanan's sedge by spring sowing of seeds, or by dividing an overgrown hummock at the beginning of the summer season.

To maintain a decorative look, the leaves that have served their life are removed.