Species Blue Sedge
green fruits, green foliage and stems

Blue Sedge

Carex glaucodea

Blue Sedge (Carex glaucodea) is a small, compact, perennial plant that grows up to 40 cm in height. It features short, brightly-colored leaves with a delicate, powdery blue hue. Blue Sedge is a popular ornamental grass, and is suitable for mass planting in rockeries, in rock gardens, or on slopes and hillsides. Its unique color stands out in both sunny and shady areas, and provides an excellent contrast to other plants. Once established, Blue Sedge is quite drought resistant, making it an ideal choice for hot and dry climates.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Low

watering

Blue Sedge should be watered once per week. Make sure to water the plant deeply so that the water reaches the bottom of the root system and the soil is well moistened. Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. It's important not to over-water the plant, as root rot can easily occur. As this sedge is drought-tolerant, you should err on the side of under-watering rather than over-watering. Blue Sedge does better in light soil that is able to drain well. During very warm weather and intense periods of sun, the plants may require more frequent watering.

sunlight

Blue Sedge prefers full sun, meaning it receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. In areas with high temperatures and humidity, it should be sited in a location that receives dappled sun. Blue Sedge requires warm temperatures in order to thrive, so in cool climates, it should be placed in a site that receives the maximum amount of unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. Avoiding the hot mid-day sun is also beneficial, so morning and late afternoon sun is best. During the hottest months of summer, a light shade cloth may be helpful.

pruning

Blue Sedge should be pruned in late fall or early spring, before new growth begins. It's best to prune this species only lightly, as it is a slow growing perennial and pruning too much can be detrimental. Remove dead or diseased foliage and trim away any crossing branches or crowded areas for the best shape and air flow. Do not prune more than 1/3 of the plant at 1 time.