Species Hudson Bay Sedge
lime-brown spikelets with lime foliage and stems

Hudson Bay Sedge

Carex heleonastes

Hudson Bay Sedge is a perennial, evergreen, grass-like plant. Its delicate, but tough stems are tightly and evenly tufted with narrow grey-green leaves that reach up to 4 1/2 inches long. In the spring, stalks of light yellow-brown flowers emerge from the center of the plant. This plant loves wet, shady spots which is why it’s commonly found near riparian areas, wetlands, streambanks, and swamps. While its lower foliage may stay green in all seasons, vegetative growth will die back in the winter. Hudson Bay Sedge is great for use as a diversity of rain and butterfly gardens. It retains its vivid green color all year and is drought-tolerant once established.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part sun/part shade

Soil:

Sand

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Hudson Bay Sedge needs regularly watering in order to keep its foliage from wilting. It's best to provide the plant with 1 inch of water per week if it's grown in a pot or container. For plants grown in ground, providing 1 to 2 inches of water every 2 weeks is recommended. It is best to water the plants in the morning or early evening so the water can soak in and the excess can evaporate in the day's sun. For more drought tolerant species, it may be best to wait until the soil is dry before watering again. It's also recommended to mulch the plant to help maintain moisture in the soil and reduce water evaporation.

sunlight

Hudson Bay Sedge (Carex heleonastes) prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade. This plant species requires nearly 8-10 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth and flowering. Hudson Bay Sedge enjoys cool temperatures but performs best when temperatures are moderate. When days are long and hot, light shade is preferable to prevent wilting. Your Hudson Bay Sedge may need more sun if it is not flowering or staying compact in growth.

pruning

The timing of pruning a Hudson Bay Sedge (Carex heleonastes) is best done in late spring, after the grass has turned green but before it starts growing rapidly. Pruning should include some light shearing to remove dead, diseased, or insect-damaged leaves. Additionally, old or overgrown plants should be lightly pruned to maintain their natural shape and encourage new growth. When pruning, careful not to remove more than 1-third of the foliage to ensure the plant maintains its vigor. Dead or dry leaves should also be removed from the base of the plant. Overall, pruning is important for the Hudson Bay Sedge, as it helps to keep the plant healthy, encourages new growth, and promotes a neat and attractive form.

Season

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

Carex heleonastes typically starts flowering in May.