Species Heavy Sedge
lime-brown spikelets with green stem

Heavy Sedge

Carex gravida

Also Known As - Heavy Fruited Sedge,Long Awned Bracted Sedge
Heavy Sedge is a bright green, grass-like herbaceous perennial. It spreads vigorously by rhizomes, forming dense mats of foliage. It grows up to 16 inches tall and its leaves are 6-12 inches long. It blooms in the summer, producing cream or yellow-brown flowers. Heavy Sedge is drought-tolerant and is a popular choice for moist or dry meadows, gardens, and cover crops. It prefers sunny areas, though it can tolerate some shade. Its evergreen foliage can provide winter interest even in areas with light frosts. This hardy species can also be used for erosion control due to its strong growth habit and thick, extensive root systems.

Watering:

Average

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

Sun

Soil:

Sand

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Gmelin's Sedge should be watered regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Water every 2-3 days during the warmer months, and every 4-7 days during the colder months. Take care to ensure that the plant does not get too dry, as it needs evenly moist soil to thrive. Alternatively, Gmelin's Sedge can also be watered less frequently and deeply, but this should only be done if the soil is allowed to dry out significantly in between waterings. For best results, water in the morning so the foliage is dry by nightfall.

sunlight

Gmelin's sedge (Carex gmelinii) requires an average of 4 to 8 hours of sunlight per day, preferably during the morning, to perform its best. Sunlight helps the plant to photosynthesize and produce energy to support its growth and development. When providing sunlight to Gmelin's sedge, care should be taken to ensure indirect light is used, as too much direct sunlight can cause the plant to burn. Additionally, the amount of sunlight should be reduced in the hotter months to prevent sun damage and scorching.

pruning

Gmelin's Sedge (Carex gmelinii) should be pruned once a year in late winter or early spring. Prune any dead or dying foliage back to the base of the plant and cut back any overly long or thin shoots to a third of their original length. Be careful when pruning so that you do not accidentally remove emerging shoots or flower stems. Doing this will help to promote a denser, healthier plant structure.

Season

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

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