Species Alaska Large Awn Sedge

Alaska Large Awn Sedge

Carex macrochaeta

Also Known As - Longawn Sedge

Alaska Large Awn Sedge, Carex macrochaeta, is a perennial herb native to Alaska's wet meadows and bogs. It has tall, wiry stems that terminate in large, flat, warm-colored spikes. The seed clusters are pale brown to yellow and, when ripening, can be up to 3" long with large, conspicuous awns. The whole plant turns golden brown when mature. It is an ideal choice for a rain garden or bog garden, as it prefers wet, well-drained soil, and full sun to partial shade. It is also excellent for erosion control and adds a unique texture and color to any landscape.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

Sun, Partial Shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Thick Head Sedge (Carex macloviana) should be watered twice a week, targeting deep watering sessions that moisten the soil down to a depth of 4 inches. In dryer climates, once a week is okay. When it’s hot, watering twice a week helps the plant better withstand the heat. Apply enough water so that it penetrates the root zone, but avoid oversaturating, which can lead to root rot. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Water early in the morning or in the evening, as watering during the heat of the day can cause moisture to evaporate before the plant is able to take it up.

sunlight

Thick Head Sedge (Carex macloviana) does best in full sunlight to partial shade, especially if planted in drier, rocky soils. It prefers 4 to 6 hours of sun per day, although it can tolerate up to 8 hours of direct sunlight. This species should be protected from hot, afternoon sun and high temperatures. A spot with dappled sun and consistently moist, loamy soils is ideal for this sedge.

pruning

Thick head sedge (Carex macloviana) should be pruned to maintain the desired shape and size of the plant. When pruning, it is important to always avoid cutting off the flowering spikes, as they are responsible for producing the plant’s seeds. Pruning should be done in early spring before new growth begins, or in late summer after flowering has finished. If desired, hedges can be trimmed as needed throughout the growing season. When pruning, care should be taken to avoid cutting more than ⅓ of the overall plant height and to make sure that all cuts are clean and smooth. This will help ensure that the plant regrows evenly and remains healthy.

Propagation