Species Little Green Sedge
brown spikelets with green foliage

Little Green Sedge

Carex viridula subsp. brachyrrhyncha

Little Green Sedge is an herbaceous, perennial species of grassy carex sedge that is native to North America. It typically has a maximum height of 60cm and has a low, groundcover form with bright green foliage and an intricately branching root system. The small, yellow-green flowers bloom in late spring and the plant produces drooping fruit clusters. This species requires consistently moist, sandy soils in a location that is in partial sunlight and sheltered from wind. Little Green Sedge is an attractive choice for a low-growing groundcover and makes a great addition to prairies, woodland gardens and rock gardens.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Rhizome Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Little Green Sedge should be watered at least once to twice a week, if planted in pots or containers. The soil should be kept slightly moist and laidback—not too wet and not too dry. When watering, saturate the soil until water begins to seep from the drainage holes. Too much water leads to a decrease in air flow around the roots, which can cause root rot. Avoid over watering as this can lead to plant death. It is also important to avoid overly dry conditions. During winter months, the plant requires less water. The plant should be watered only as needed—typically allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering.

sunlight

Little Green Sedge requires partial to full sun and thrives in both sunny and slightly shady conditions. You can expect this perennial grass to get 1-6 hours of direct sunlight each day, depending on where it is planted and how much shade is present. This plant species prefers morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, which prevents the soil and plant from drying out. Little Green Sedge can adapt to more extreme levels of light, but its growth and flowering will be inhibited if it gets too much direct sunlight for too long. This plant species also needs consistent water, so it should be kept moist but not soggy.

pruning

Little Green Sedge should be pruned once per year, in late spring. Start by cutting the dead or damaged stems back to the ground and then trimming any stems that are growing too tall or look scraggly. For vigorous plants, you can prune back up to half of the stems, cutting them to the desired height. Leave all new stems that have just emerged to promote new growth and promote a denser display of foliage. Clean up the area around the plant to remove any debris to help reduce the potential for diseases.