Carex is a genus of sedges, which indicates that they form tight clumps of grass-like leaves. Many of the cultivated kinds have bronze or variegated foliage, and if clumps are split and replanted they soon make useful ground cover, giving structure and subtle colour throughout the year.

Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' is a good, compact, tufted, evergreen sedge. The variegated leaves are dark green and creamy gold; in spring it produces brown flower spikes.