Species Columbia Sedge
brown-orange cones with green-brown foliage and stems

Columbia Sedge

Carex aperta

Columbia Sedge (Carex aperta) is a small, perennial plant native to the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. It is a rhizomatous species with lance-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers that form thick tufts near the base of the plant. The flowers are a great food source for birds and insects, providing color to the landscape. The plant grows in full sun to part shade conditions, in wet to dry soil and is salt tolerant. It is an attractive ornamental species, often used in naturalized areas or wetlands. Its robust, low-maintenance nature make it a great choice for the home garden.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Stolon,Rhizome Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

Sun, Partial Shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Columbia Sedge prefers moist, well-draining soil and should be watered regularly. During the summer months, it's important to water your Columbian Sedge once or twice a week, providing enough water throughout the plant. During the winter months, water should be reduced to once every 2 weeks or so. If the soil feels dry, it is time to water. It's important to note that over-watering can be detrimental to the plant, so it's best to err on the side of caution and water sparingly.

sunlight

Columbia Sedge is a semi-evergreen, sun-loving perennial that grows best in full sun. When choosing a location for Columbia Sedge, aim for a spot that receives 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Morning sun is particularly beneficial, as this plant species prefers to have the sun's heat early in the day. In order for Columbia Sedge to thrive, exposure to 8-10 hours of sun is ideal. When grown in full shade, the plants tend to suffer from poor growth and lack of flowering.

pruning

Columbia Sedge (Carex aperta) is a low-maintenance, attractive ground cover making it a popular choice for many landscaping projects. Pruning should be done twice a year to keep the plant healthy and looking its best. In early spring, before growth begins, lightly prune the Columbia Sedge to remove any brown or damaged foliage and to tidy up any overgrown areas. This should be done just enough to remove the dead foliage, but not too much. Pruning any more than necessary can damage the plant. Later on in the summer, prune the plants more heavily in order to define the shape of the bed or control the size of the plant. Cut the stems back to just a few inches above ground level; however, it is important not to cut more than 1/3 of the total growth. As with the early spring pruning, be sure not to prune too much, as this can damage the plant. Pruning Columbia Sedge twice a year will help keep it looking its best and ensure that it remains healthy for years to come.

Season

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

Carex aperta typically starts flowering in April.