Species Sheathed Sedge
brown-green spikelets with yellow-green leaves and stems

Sheathed Sedge

Carex vaginata

Sheathed Sedge (Carex vaginata) is a low-growing, evergreen native grass with fine, slender green leaves. It bears small, glossy, yellow-green flowers from late spring to early summer. A great groundcover plant, it prefers moist, moderately fertile soil and partial to full shade. It is drought tolerant once established and it makes an attractive edging for borders. Sheathed Sedge provides structure and interest in garden beds, and the grassy habit pairs well with other woodland or shade-loving plants. A deer and rabbit resistant species, it is an excellent choice for naturalizing areas of the landscape.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Stolon

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Sheathed Sedge (Carex vaginata) should be watered regularly, but needs relatively low water amounts. Water the plant once a week, helping the soil to remain evenly moist but not saturated. Allow the surface of the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. You can determine when the soil needs to be watered by sticking your finger in the top 2 inches of soil and if it still feels a little bit damp, you do not need to water it. During periods of particularly hot weather, it may need to be watered slightly more frequently.

sunlight

Sheathed Sedge is an aquatic plant that does best in areas with full sun. It prefers many hours of sunlight each day, especially in the middle of the day when the light is the strongest and temperatures are highest. During the summer months, Sheathed Sedge should receive a minimum of 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In some areas with mild winters, it can receive up to 12 hours of sunlight per day. In shadier locations, it will still grow with fewer hours of sunlight. When the amount of sunlight decreases in the winter months, Sheathed Sedge may become dormant or have a less vigorous growth.

pruning

Sheathed Sedge should be pruned when it starts to look messy or it becomes too overgrown for its location. Pruning should be done in late summer or early fall, right after the flowering period ends. During this time, prune off old tussocks or cut back growth to a few inches above soil level. This will help keep the plant from becoming too large and unruly. Pruning should be done carefully and with caution as it can damage the plant if not done correctly. It is important to avoid over-pruning and to leave enough foliage to ensure healthy regrowth.