Zone: 5
BANANA BOAT SEDGE GRASS
Carex siderosticha 'Banana Boat', commonly known as Broad-leaved Sedge, is a spectacular deciduous perennial that brings a bold, tropical texture to temperate gardens. Unlike the narrow-leaved sedges, 'Banana Boat' features notably wide, lance-shaped blades that can reach up to an inch across, giving it a lush, ribbon-like appearance. Its most striking feature is its brilliant coloration: each leaf is primarily a vibrant lemon-yellow with thin, dark green margins and occasional green pinstripes. Reaching a height of about 6 to 12 inches and spreading slowly via rhizomes, it forms a dense, glowing carpet that is perfect for illuminating dark garden floors or adding a high-contrast pop to the front of a shaded border.
Caring for 'Banana Boat' is straightforward, provided it is given the right "cool and moist" environment to prevent its bright foliage from scorching. It performs best in partial to full shade; in fact, its yellow color remains most intense in dappled light, as direct afternoon sun can quickly burn the wide, delicate blades. Banana Boat is a moisture-lover and thrives in consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil, though it should not be kept in soggy, anaerobic conditions. Because it is deciduous, maintenance is as simple as cutting back the dead foliage to the ground in late autumn or very early spring before the new, banana-yellow shoots emerge from the soil.
| PLANT | SIZE | TYPE | GALENA | ADD'L | DIG | SOON |
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To help this plant settle in and thrive, we recommend these standard planting practices: Plant in a location with partial shade and moist, rich soil, and water regularly to maintain a consistent moisture level. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Available cultivars in this genus: