Species Bigleaf Sedge
lime fruits with green leaves and stems

Bigleaf Sedge

Carex amplifolia

Bigleaf Sedge (Carex amplifolia) is a grass-like plant native to the United States. It reaches up to 2 feet tall and has large, broad leaves with thin, fibrous blades. Its foliage is evergreen and resembles a large grass, but the leaves are stiffer and bigger. It often grows in wetland meadows and along streams. This sedge is an excellent choice for adding color and texture to a landscape. It is also drought-tolerant and can even be planted in standing water. Bigleaf Sedge provides ornamental appeal for both aquatic and terrestrial gardens.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Stolon

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part sun/part shade

Soil:

Clay, Sand, Loam

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Bigleaf Sedge grows best with consistent moisture, but it will tolerate both wet and dry soils. During its active growth period in spring and summer, water it deeply twice a week (for an hour or 2 at a time) when the top few inches of soil are dry, or whenever your soil is light and fluffy. During the hottest summer months, you may need to water more frequently. In winter and fall, light watering (once or twice a month) may be necessary to keep the soil from becoming too dry.

sunlight

Bigleaf Sedge (Carex amplifolia) prefers full sun to partial sun when the plant is situated outdoors. In ideal conditions, it needs 6 to 8 hours of sunshine per day. However, it can also tolerate partial shade which makes it a great choice for a wooded yard with dappled shade. In full sun, the plant will thrive better with moist soil. It's best to position it in an east or south facing area to make sure it gets enough light.

pruning

Bigleaf Sedge should be pruned in late winter or early spring before growth begins. The plant should not be pruned too aggressively or too frequently as this can weaken it. The best practice is to remove only the dead or damaged foliage, along with any shoots that appear overly vigorous or unruly. Prune the plant back to its desired size and shape, being careful to only remove 1-third to 1-half of the total plant height. It is recommended to also prune off any seed heads to prevent unwanted self-seeding.

Season

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

Bigleaf Sedge typically starts flowering in May.