Species Seaside Sedge
dark-brown spikelets with brown-green foliage and stems

Seaside Sedge

Carex maritima

Also Known As - Curved Sedge
Seaside Sedge (Carex maritima) is a plant species native to many European shorelines. It is a perennial grasslike plant that forms neat clumps and grows up to one foot high. The omnivorous plant has lime green foliage that is stiff and narrow and forms dense tufts. Its inconspicuous flowers appear on tall, wiry stems in early summer and they are followed by small cylindrical fruits.Its rhizomes give Seaside Sedge an excellent tolerance to oceanic winds and salt spray making it a popular salt-tolerant option for coastal landscaping. It also thrives in sandy soils, making it an ideal choice for dune locations.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers

Sun:

Partial Shade

Soil:

Sand

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Seaside Sedge should be watered once or twice a week, depending on how dry the soil is. To ensure optimal growth, the soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Use 1-2 inches of lukewarm water for each watering and ensure the soil has a chance to drain after each session. Make sure to water the Seaside Sedge deeply so that the water reaches the roots of the plant. Additionally, feel the top of the soil to sense if it is dry or not before watering. If the top layer of soil is still damp, then it usually doesn't need watering.

sunlight

Seaside Sedge prefers full sunlight or partial shade, though it will grow in full shade. In full sun, it will need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. When grown in partial shade, the amount of sunlight it needs is slightly less. This plant species will thrive in sunny, coastal areas but ca also tolerate harsher conditions when grown in partial shade. When given optimal light conditions, Seaside Sedge should benefit from direct sunlight during the morning hours and some protection from the direct sun in the late afternoon or evening.

pruning

Seaside Sedge should be pruned once a year after the last spring frost. Start by removing any dead foliage or stems, as well as any that are overcrowding the healthier growth. Once the dead foliage has been removed, cut the remaining stems back by about a third. Prune any additional, overly long stems to a height of 10-12 inches. This will encourage more bushy growth, and will help the plant to retain a more natural habit.

Season

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

Seaside Sedge typically starts flowering in June.