Species Livid Sedge
red-green seedheads with yellow-green foliage and stems

Livid Sedge

Carex livida

Livid Sedge (Carex livida) is a perennial of wet woodland soils typically found in North America. Its thin stems typically reach a height of up to two feet and feature light green blades which can have a bluish tint growing in tufts. These tufts are topped off with light brown seed heads. Livid Sedge grows best in full sun, moist soil that is slightly acidic. It is a great choice for rain gardens and erosion control. Its dense growth habit also gives great cover for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. This low maintenance, easy to plant species is a great addition to any garden.

Watering:

Minimal

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:

Medium

watering

Livid Sedge is a low growing, clumping grass-like perennial that is drought tolerant once established. It prefers moist, somewhat acidic soils and full shade or partial shade. It should be watered regularly, but not heavily. Water deeply once a week to keep soil moist but not saturated, allowing it to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid over-watering, as too much water may cause the foliage to yellow or rot. It is best to water early in the morning before the heat of the day sets in.

sunlight

Livid Sedge is a shade-loving plant species, so it requires minimal sunlight for optimal growth. It is best suited for growing in areas that receive no more than 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. Avoid planting in areas that receive more than 8 hours of direct sunlight per day since too much can damage the foliage. Livid Sedge is best suited to thriving in indirect light with morning sun and afternoon shade. It enjoys some humidity but does not need to be watered often. This particular plant species does best with irregular watering; water it when the soil feels dry to the touch, but not so much that it is always soggy.

pruning

Livid Sedge (Carex livida) should be pruned in late winter to early spring, when the new growth begins to appear. Prune the plant lightly, removing any dying or weakened stems, and trimming the stems back by up to 1/3 of their length to thin out the foliage and encourage new growth. This species responds well to pruning and generally requires it to maintain its shape and size.