Ice Dance Sedge (Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance') is an attractive evergreen to semi-evergreen ornamental sedge known for its bright variegated foliage and dense, spreading habit. Growing approximately 12-18 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide, it forms graceful clumps of narrow, deep green leaves edged in creamy white. The contrasting foliage brightens shaded areas and provides excellent texture and year-round interest in the landscape.
Ice Dance is an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, foundation plantings, mass plantings, edging, or as a groundcover beneath trees and larger shrubs. Unlike many clump-forming ornamental grasses, Ice Dance slowly spreads by underground rhizomes, allowing it to develop into an attractive, weed-suppressing groundcover over time.
More About Ice Dance Sedge
- Low Maintenance
- Moderate Growing
- Evergreen to Semi-Evergreen
- Ornamental Sedge
- Variegated Foliage
- Spreading Groundcover
- Woodland Garden, Foundation Planting, Mixed Border, Mass Planting, Edging, Groundcover
- Dense, Arching Habit
- Excellent for Shaded Areas
- Year-Round Interest
- Deer Resistant
Height: 12-18 Inches
Spread: 18-24 Inches and Slowly Spreading
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Characteristics
- Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Shade
- Season of Interest: Year Round
- Soil Moisture: Average to Moist, Well Draining
- Attributes: Spreading, Arching, Groundcover
- Foliage Color: Deep Green with Creamy White Margins
Care & Maintenance Tips
Planting:
Plant in part shade to shade for best performance. Ice Dance is particularly useful beneath trees, along woodland edges, and in other areas where traditional ornamental grasses may struggle. It prefers fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture.
Watering:
Water consistently during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, Ice Dance prefers average to consistent moisture but can tolerate occasional short dry periods. Water during extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Fertilizing:
Ice Dance generally requires very little fertilizer. If needed, apply a light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
Pruning:
Very little pruning is required. In late winter or early spring, remove brown, damaged, or unattractive foliage before fresh growth begins. In colder climates where foliage experiences significant winter damage, plants can be cut back more substantially to encourage clean new growth.
