can anyone identify this grass?

As you say, there are lots of carex so it's difficult to be sure which one it is. I've got a similar one that I'm growing in semi shade that 'flowers' in spring (April/May)

yes that would make sense, mine is in semi shade too, and when i got it, it did have what could have been dried flower stems that had finished, i picked it over and planted, but that was in august - whats yours called, think i will list it under that and see if does flower in the spring, - if not will have to think again. thanks Andrew.

I think it's probably carex morrowii "Fisher's Form". It is evergreen but the leaves can look pretty tatty after a bad winter in which case they can be cut off and it grows new ones. I also give my borders a light feed in spring which will help

once again thanks Andrew, what do you normally feed with? i use soil improver mostly which i lay on quite thickly a few times a year as a mulch, and it works its self in - i don't do to much digging, just ruff the surface of the soil up a bit so it can get down quite easy. and occationaly i use miricle grow in the summer on flowering plants, or i have sequested iron which i use for my rhod's and azaleas etc which would you recommend?

I use a product called 6X which is composted chicken manure. It comes in large plastic sacks and I get mine from my local Notcutts Garden Centre. It is very strong and a little goes a long way (I have quite a large garden and three sacks is sufficient) I just sprinkle a handful to dust the surface of the soil and turn it in with a handfork in early spring. It pongs a bit too at first!

This looks very much like a carex oshimensis evergold. The dimensions fit too. I have a few of these dotted about in both sun and light shade doing well. They're not very demanding and are lovely and bright all year round. Not very impressive flowers come around late spring (I think). But as you point out, there are a few carexes about that look a bit samey. Please let me know if you get a confirmed I.D.

thanks Max, Andrew said that it could be C. morrowii 'Fisher's form' but no confirmed id as yet so i will have to see what the flowers look like and time of year ect before i really know which it is but thanks for the info much apreciated!

I would also agree with max, Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'