Species Foxtail Sedge
lime spikelet with lime foliage

Foxtail Sedge

Carex alopecoidea

Foxtail Sedge (Carex alopecoidea) is a perennial grass-like plant native to Europe and North America. It features narrow, arching blades of bright green or blue-green and distinctive long, bushy seedheads that look like a fox's tail. This drought-tolerant vegetation is very hardy, making it ideal for erosion control and garden borders. It also serves as an attractive accent plant for its impressive size and unusual shape in rock gardens and prairies. Foxtail Sedge is an excellent choice for any naturalistic setting, where it will thrive with minimal care.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers In Summer

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Humus Enriched

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,olive

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Foxtail Sedge prefers moist soil and should be watered regularly. It should be watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on soil and weather conditions. In hot summer months, be sure to water more often to keep the soil consistently moist. During the winter months, water should be reduced significantly or stopped altogether, allowing the soil to dry partially between waterings.

sunlight

Foxtail Sedge plants require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, preferably in the morning, to thrive. If exposed to more than 6 hours of sunlight, they should be provided with some shade in the late afternoon. Foxtail Sedge plants enjoy bright, sunny locations, however, if planted in regions that experience hot temperatures, it is best to provide some afternoon shade.

pruning

Foxtail Sedge should be pruned once a year in early spring before new growth begins. Prune away any dead or decaying foliage as well as any damaged leaves or stems. Cut back the stems to approximately 3 to 4 inches from the ground. Remove any thin, spindly stems and thin out dense clusters of stems to promote air circulation and adequate sunlight. Pruning will encourage the sedge to grow outwardly and become bushier.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Foxtail Sedge typically starts flowering in May.