Species Sand Dune Sedge
white-brown flowers with white-green foliage and stems

Sand Dune Sedge

Carex pansa

Sand Dune Sedge is a small grass-like plant that grows in sandy dunes along the California coastline. Its luscious green leaves are narrow and sharp tipped. Its flower clusters are composed of many small, golden-brown spikes. It is an important part of the dune ecosystem, providing food and shelter for many species of birds and small animals, while also stabilizing the sand. Its deep root system helps to spread the sand and prevent beach erosion. It is drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance. Its resilience and beauty make it a great choice for beach gardens and dunes.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Red|Purple|Green/Brown Flowers In Spring

Sun:

part sun/part shade,full sun

Soil:

Sand

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

When watering Sand Dune Sedge, it is important to keep the plant consistently moist but not soggy. Water the plant deeply and thoroughly once or twice a week, depending on the level of soil moisture. After watering, allow the surface of the soil to dry out slightly before watering again. Provide a generous amount of water each time, soaking the entire root zone.

sunlight

Sand Dune Sedge (Carex pansa) does best in full sun to part shade. It prefers 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day, and can also tolerate partial shade and even shade for short periods. It is tolerant of hot, sunny locations. In addition, Sand Dune Sedge is drought tolerant and can withstand dry conditions for extended periods. In areas with hot summers, it may need to be irrigated occasionally. Sand Dune Sedge tends to thrive most in areas that experience hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.

pruning

Late winter to early spring is the best time of year for pruning. Carefully trim away any dead, broken, or discolored blades from the plant. Use sharp shears to make precise cuts. You can also thin the plant by cutting out the oldest foliage or stems as close to the dirt as possible without damaging healthy growth.

Season

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

Sand Dune Sedge typically starts flowering in April.