-
Description
Carex ‘Ice Dance’, also known as Zegge, is an elegant evergreen ornamental grass that brings year-round interest to gardens and landscapes. Its defining feature is its narrow, arching leaves, which are variegated with striking green and creamy-white stripes. Because it is evergreen, Carex ‘Ice Dance’ retains its foliage through the winter months, providing color and texture when many other plants have gone dormant. This characteristic has made it one of the most popular ornamental grasses for years.
The plant produces inconspicuous, brownish flower spikes in late spring to early summer, but it is grown primarily for its attractive foliage rather than for its blooms. Carex ‘Ice Dance’ forms dense clumps that reach approximately 30–40 cm in height and about the same in spread, making it ideal for borders, rock gardens, containers, or as groundcover beneath shrubs and trees.
This Carex variety is low-maintenance and thrives in both full sun and partial shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and benefits from occasional watering during dry periods. The plant does not have thorns, making it safe to handle, and it is hardy and resilient in a variety of garden conditions. It is not known for a notable fragrance, and it is considered non-toxic, safe for gardens where pets or children are present.
Carex ‘Ice Dance’ is prized for its graceful, variegated foliage and year-round appeal, making it an excellent choice for adding structure, color, and texture to both formal and naturalistic garden designs.