Species Sitka Sedge
yellow-brown flowers with lime leaves and stems

Sitka Sedge

Carex aquatilis var. dives

Sitka Sedge is a species of moist meadows, wet meadows and riparian zones native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. It grows to about 1.2 meters in height with a grass-like appearance, with evergreen, narrow, linear leaves, olive-brown in color. The flowers are tiny and dioecious (separate male and female plants), with many long inflorescences held high. The heart-shaped seed capsules are covered in hairs and contain tiny dark seeds. It is tolerant of a wide range of site conditions and can be found growing in standing water, along streams and wetlands. It is an important food source for a wide variety of animals, aiding in plant dispersal and helping restore degraded habitats.

Watering:

Average

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Partial Shade, Shade

Soil:

Clay, Sand

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Appalachian Sedge should typically be watered once every 7-10 days during the summer months, depending on rainfall levels and temperatures. When watering, it is best to use slightly cooler water and give the soil a good soaking. Water can be applied through overhead irrigation systems or by hand with a hose. It is important to make sure the soil is always slightly damp but not constantly saturated with water. Reducing watering in the winter months is recommended.

sunlight

Appalachian Sedge prefers full sun to light shade, and will perform best when it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. In its native habitat in eastern North America, it often grows in sunny woodland openings or alpine meadows, so it doesn’t require full sunlight all day. While it can tolerate some direct sun in its afternoon hours, it would benefit from additional shade in the late afternoon to protect it from the intense afternoon heat. As long as it receives full sun for the largest portion of the day, it should thrive.

pruning

Appalachian Sedge requires light pruning throughout the growing season, mainly to remove any dead or damaged foliage. Generally, reducing the length of the stems at the end of the growing season (late summer or early fall) is recommended. This will promote a compact and denser growth in the future. Pruning should be done lightly, as even light pruning can have a large effect on the overall appearance of the plant. Any pruning should also be manageable and should not reduce the size of the overall plant.

Season

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

Harvest Fruit

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