Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Plant of the month: Carex 'Evergold'

In midwinter, it's contrast that adds interest to the landscape. Red berries or red bark offer a spark of color. Peeling bark offers textural interest. An ephemeral dusting of snow on evergreens offers a postcard-pretty picture.

Sometimes, it's a splash of gold that makes all the difference as we weather the weather and dream of the spring to come. Which is why ornamental grasses such as Carex "Evergold," while lovely in the summertime, are also welcome winter guests. The sunny yellow stripe down the center of each blade foreshadows the daffodils to come (which is also how you know when it is time to cut them back, trading one gold and green look for another).

Plant the upright perennial mounds in moist, rich soil in partial shade, as an edging groundcover or even as a "thriller" in containers.

-- Daina Savage