Species Sedge
lime spikelets with green stems

Sedge

Carex atrosquama x

Sedge (Carex atrosquama x) is a perennial plant of the Cyperaceae family with an aggressive growth pattern. It forms a dense mat of evergreen foliage, which makes it an ideal alternative to grass for lawns and garden beds. Its leaves range from bluish-green to dark grayish-green and remain vibrantly alive throughout the year. Its blooms appear in the spring and are composed of female and male spikelets arranged in a curved pattern. The Carex atrosquama x is perfect for use in low-maintenance landscaping and erosion control. It is also an excellent choice for wildlife habitats, providing shelter to ground-dwelling animals and insects.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

Sun, Partial Shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Black Sedge (Carex atratiformis) prefers moist to wet soil and should be watered regularly. When it is first planted, it should be watered until the soil is moist, and then watered twice weekly until the plant is established. After that, it should be watered about once a week. In hot, sunny weather, the plant requires a little extra moisture and can benefit from watering 2 to 3 times weekly. Be sure not to over water, however, as this can lead to root rot.

sunlight

Black Sedge (Carex atratiformis) is resistant to shade and will perform best with full sun for 4-6 hours per day. This species of plant is native to moist, shady woodlands, so it can thrive in partial shade. When grown in full sun, the stems will be slightly sturdier, and it will have a much darker color. Light should be provided in the morning, so that the plant can photosynthesize and absorb energy during the day.

pruning

Black Sedge should be pruned in late fall or early winter. It responds well to both light and hard pruning. For light pruning, simply remove dead and damaged foliage and trim the edges of the plant to create a pleasing form. For hard pruning, trim any long shoots back to 1-third of the plant's length. Be sure to disinfect your pruning shears or other cutting tool after each cut to prevent the spread of any disease.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.