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Carex Ice Dance
Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'
Carex Ice Dance adds year-round color with its vibrant green and white variegated foliage, making it perfect for ground cover, borders, and shade gardens. This low-maintenance, deer-resistant sedge thrives in partial to full shade, offering texture and erosion control in woodland areas or along slopes.
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Carex Ice Dance is an eye-catching, evergreen sedge known for its vibrant green leaves with striking white margins that add year-round color and texture to any landscape. This ornamental grass forms dense clumps of arching foliage, making it perfect for use as ground cover, in borders, or as an accent plant in shaded gardens. Thriving in partial to full shade, Carex Ice Dance is ideal for brightening up low-light areas with its variegated leaves. It performs best in moist, well-drained soils, adding visual interest to both traditional and modern garden designs. Its versatility and low-maintenance nature make it a favorite among gardeners seeking reliable, easy-care plants.
Hardy in USDA Zones 5-9, Carex Ice Dance is well-suited for a wide range of climates, growing to a mature height of 12-15 inches and spreading up to 18-24 inches. Its clumping habit helps control soil erosion, making it a practical choice for slopes, woodland areas, or rain gardens. This sedge’s evergreen nature ensures that it provides year-round visual appeal, even during the winter months, when many other plants have gone dormant. Its adaptable nature allows it to thrive in a variety of soil conditions, from consistently moist to occasionally dry soils, as long as proper drainage is provided.
In addition to its aesthetic value, Carex Ice Dance is deer-resistant and low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning or fertilization once established. Its ability to tolerate various light conditions and evergreen foliage makes it a versatile plant for both shade and part-sun gardens. Pair Carex Ice Dance with other shade-loving perennials like ferns, hostas, and heucheras to create lush, layered planting schemes that thrive with minimal care. Carex Ice Dance is a reliable and attractive addition to any garden, whether used as ground cover, in containers, or as an accent plant.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 8-12" |
| Mature Width: | 1-2 feet |
| Classification: | Perennial |
| Sunlight: | Part Sun to Part Shade |
| Habit: | Spreading |
| Flower Color: | Brown but not showy |
| Flowering Season: | April to July |
| Foliage: | Green with clean white edges |
| Soil Condition: | Average to wet soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed shade border, mass planting. deer resistant, tolerates heavy shade and wet soils |
How to Care for Carex Ice Dance
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Carex Ice Dance for years to come!
How Do I Plant Carex Ice Dance?
To plant Carex Ice Dance, begin by selecting a location that offers partial to full shade and well-drained, moist soil. Start by digging a hole that is twice the width of the plant's root ball and deep enough so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Gently remove the plant from its container, loosen the roots, and place it in the hole. Backfill with soil, ensuring there are no air pockets, and gently press down around the base of the plant. After planting, water thoroughly to help the roots settle and establish a strong foundation. Adding a layer of mulch around the plant will help retain moisture and keep the soil cool. When planting Carex Ice Dance in mass plantings or as ground cover, space the plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow them to spread and fill in the area over time. This spacing helps create a dense, lush look as the plants mature. Carex Ice Dance is particularly well-suited for shaded borders, woodland gardens, and slopes where erosion control is needed. While it thrives in moist soils, it can tolerate occasional dry periods once established, making it a low-maintenance and versatile addition to your garden. With proper planting and care, Carex Ice Dance will provide year-round beauty with its striking variegated foliage.
How Do I Water Carex Ice Dance?
Watering Carex Ice Dance is essential, especially during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. After planting, water the sedge thoroughly and maintain consistent moisture levels, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Deep watering once or twice a week is ideal, depending on the temperature and rainfall. In hotter conditions or dry spells, you may need to water more frequently to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Carex Ice Dance prefers moist, well-drained soils, so it’s important to avoid letting the plant sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot. Once Carex Ice Dance is established, it becomes more drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering. However, it’s important to continue providing water during prolonged dry periods to keep the foliage looking its best. Regular monitoring of soil moisture is key, especially in hotter climates or if the plant is grown in containers, as pots tend to dry out faster than garden beds. Mulching around the base of the plant can help retain soil moisture and reduce the frequency of watering. With proper watering, Carex Ice Dance will thrive, maintaining its vibrant variegated foliage and adding texture to your landscape.
How Do I Fertilize Carex Ice Dance?
To fertilize Carex Ice Dance, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formula, in early spring to support new growth and maintain the plant’s vibrant variegated foliage. Sprinkle the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plant, being careful not to let it touch the leaves, as this can cause burning. After fertilizing, water the plant thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the root system. If you prefer organic options, a light top-dressing of compost or well-rotted manure will also provide a steady release of nutrients throughout the growing season, enriching the soil naturally. Once Carex Ice Dance is established, it typically requires minimal additional fertilization, especially if grown in nutrient-rich soil. If the plant shows signs of stunted growth or reduced color vibrancy, a mid-season feeding with a low-nitrogen fertilizer can give it a gentle boost. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can lead to overly lush growth, which may make the plant more susceptible to stress and reduce its drought tolerance. By fertilizing moderately and maintaining good soil health, Carex Ice Dance will continue to thrive as a low-maintenance, visually appealing addition to your shade garden or landscape.
How Do I Prune Carex Ice Dance?
Pruning Carex Ice Dance is simple and helps maintain its neat appearance while promoting healthy, vigorous growth. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. Use sharp garden shears to trim back any dead or damaged foliage to about 2-3 inches above the ground. This light pruning helps refresh the plant and encourages fresh, new growth for the season. Removing old, brown leaves also prevents the plant from looking untidy, allowing Carex Ice Dance to retain its vibrant, variegated appearance throughout the year. During the growing season, Carex Ice Dance typically requires minimal pruning, but you can selectively trim any damaged or unsightly blades as needed to maintain its shape. If the plant becomes overgrown or starts to spread beyond its designated area, you can trim back the edges to control its size and keep it looking well-maintained. Regular pruning not only enhances the plant’s aesthetic appeal but also promotes better airflow and helps prevent potential fungal issues. With minimal pruning, Carex Ice Dance will continue to add year-round beauty to your shade garden, borders, or container plantings.
