Species Oval Leaf Sedge
lime-brown spikelets with lime stem

Oval Leaf Sedge

Carex cephalophora

Also Known As - Short Headed Bracted Sedge,Woodbank Sedge
Oval Leaf Sedge (Carex cephalophora) is a perennial with evergreen foliage. Its foliage is an attractive shade of green with faint yellowish streaks. It has a clumping growth habit, with its long, narrow leaves gracefully curving towards the ground. It produces small brown flowers in June and July, followed by glossy, dark brown seeds. It prefers areas with semi-shade, but it can tolerate full sun or full shade. It prefers moist, organically-rich soils, and can tolerate wet, boggy areas. Easily grown as an ornamental or an ericaceous groundcover, Oval Leaf Sedge is a great addition to any garden!

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Rhizome Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

Sun, Deciduous Shade (Spring Sun)

Soil:

Humus Enriched

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Oval Leaf Sedge should be watered deeply but only when needed. This plant requires 1 or 2 deep waterings per week during the spring and summer months when the weather is hot and dry. It should be watered slowly for at least 1 hour to ensure a thorough saturation of the soil. During the cooler months, such as fall and winter, watering should be decreased and given only when the soil appears dry. This plant should not be allowed to dry out and just a light misting can be beneficial.

sunlight

Oval Leaf Sedge (Carex cephalophora) requires full sun to partial shade for best growth. While some shade is tolerated, too much shade will weaken or stunt the growth of the plants. The best amount of sunlight for this species is direct sun for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. It will also benefit from some light afternoon shade. When temperatures become too high, the plant may need more shade to protect it from the intense heat.

pruning

Oval Leaf Sedge (Carex cephalophora) is best pruned in late spring or early summer. This hardy sedge tolerates pruning well, but it should not be cut back too severely. Prune to remove dead and worn foliage. Thinning the foliage also encourages vigorous new growth. Rejuvenation pruning may be needed every 4–5 years to promote dense, healthy foliage. Prune back overgrown or untidy stems to 1/3 to 1/2 of their original length and shape. This will help keep the plant looking attractive and promote tighter growth habit.

Season

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

Carex cephalophora typically starts flowering in May.