Species Hop Sedge
yellow-lime spikelets with brown-lime leaves and stems

Hop Sedge

Carex lupulina

Hop Sedge is a perennial native sedge found in wet areas across much of North America. Its rise to 30 to 90 cm high makes it a great choice for naturalizing large areas. Its narrow green leaves are arranged in three ranks and remain throughout the growing season. The tan-coloured seed spikes will persist into late fall. For those seeking low maintenance flowers, Hop Sedge has pale yellow to green flowers in summer. This plant adapts to many soil types and is especially well-suited to flooded, marshy soil. It benefits from some regular moisture and will tolerate strong winds. Due to its hardiness and versatility, Hop Sedge is a great choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, easy to grow plant.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Stolon,Rhizome Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

Partial Shade

Soil:

Loam, Humus Enriched

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Hop Sedge needs moist but well-drained soil, so it is important to water this plant regularly to keep the soil consistently moist. In general, water hop sedge about 2 to 3 times a week, either with a hose or by hand, to keep the soil damp but not soggy. Depending on your climate, you may need to adjust the amount of water given. During warmer summer months, soil can dry out quickly, so extra waterings may be required. On the other hand, during cooler spring and fall months when rainfall is more frequent, you may only need to water hop sedge once a week. If the soil begins to feel dry to the touch, it is time for a watering.

sunlight

Hop Sedge grows best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade. During peak summer months, when temperatures are warmer, plants should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. In the cooler months, 3-4 hours of direct sunlight a day is adequate for hop sedge. During the hottest part of the day, plants should be shaded in order to protect them from the direct rays of the sun.

pruning

Hop Sedge should be pruned during the late winter or early spring before new growth has begun. Pruning should focus on removing dead and weak stems to promote strong and healthy growth. This species should only be lightly pruned, with most of the pruning being limited to removing dead or damaged stems. Removing more than 1/3 of the total foliage can stunt the plant’s growth.

Season

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

Hop Sedge typically starts flowering in May.