Species Quill Sedge
cream-brown flowers with lime stems

Quill Sedge

Carex echinodes

Quill Sedge (Carex echinodes) is a striking ornamental grass-like perennial sedge, native to North America. It grows in a neat clump of upright evergreen foliage with an attractive, quill-like texture. Its grey-green blades reach heights of about 30cm, creating a fine, arching effect. In summer, an airy display of tightly packed, cylindrical brown flower spikes appear above the foliage. This plant is tolerant of sandy soils, as well as wet locations, making it suitable for a variety of garden styles and habitats. To keep it looking its best, it should be cut back after flowering.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Rhizome Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Quill Sedge (Carex echinodes) prefers moist and well-drained soils in partial to full sun. These plants require on average 2-3 inches of water per week. For best results, water the soil deeply once a week in the morning so that it has the entire day to dry and the roots of the plant to absorb the moisture. It is important for the soil to not stay soggy from over-watering. In the hot summer months, you may need to water the Quill Sedge more often. As long as the soil remains soft and moist, your plants should stay healthy.

sunlight

Quill Sedge grows best in full sun to partial shade. In particular, it thrives in areas with direct sunlight for at least 6 hours per day. When grown in full sun, Quill Sedge will produce more vibrant foliage and its flowering period will be extended.

pruning

For best results Quill Sedge should be pruned in late spring or early summer after it blooms. Pruning should be done sparingly, and only dead or broken stems should be removed. If wanting to shape the plant, it can be lightly sheared after the flowers fade. Removing too much can encourage dense and leggy growth, so it is important to be conservative with pruning. It is also vital to never cut below the crown of the plant – only long stems should be cut away. As a general rule, non-flowering stems should not be cut until the following year's growth has surfaced.