Species Willdenow's Sedge

Willdenow's Sedge

Carex willdenowii

Willdenow's Sedge (Carex willdenowii) is a rare, perennial grass-like plant native to Europe and parts of Asia. It has a clump-forming habit, growing up to 45cm tall with a spread of 10cm. Its slender, rough leaves are deep green in color and its flowers are yellow-brown. This species is closely related to other species of Carex sedges, and its flowers are attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees. Willdenow's Sedge is shade-tolerant and does best in damp, poorly drained soils, making it an ideal choice for rain gardens and other water-logged spots. It is also a popular addition to naturalistic and native landscapes.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Rhizome Propagation,Stolon

Hardiness Zone:

Flowers:

Green/Brown Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Partial Shade

Soil:

Humus Enriched

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Willdenow's Sedge prefers consistently moist soils and should be watered as often as needed to keep the soil moist. It is important not to overwater this plant species. During the hot summer months, it may require daily watering in order to make sure the soil is staying moist. During the cooler fall and winter months, watering should be reduced to once every week or 2. Water generously and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

sunlight

Willdenow's Sedge grows best in full sun to part shade, in moist soils. This plant species prefers soils with neutral to slightly acid pH levels of 6-7, but will tolerate a range of soils including boggy and wet soils. It should be exposed to at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day. This can be increased to as much as 10-12 hours of direct sunlight during the peak summer months; however, too much sunlight can lead to sunburn in hot climates. Because Willdenow's Sedge prefers moist soil conditions, it is important to provide adequate water during dry periods, or plant in locations that provide some natural protection from the sun.

pruning

Willdenow's Sedge should typically be pruned once in the late summer or early fall. Pruning should involve removing dead, damaged, or diseased stems. Prunning should also include shortening any particularly long and unruly stems in order to maintain a neat and compact appearance. It is important to be sure to remove any older stems that have ceased flowering, as these will reduce the overall vigor of the plant. When pruning, it is important to avoid cutting the sedge's crown, as this can lead to long-term damage. If pruning is necessary, only remove a small portion of the stem that extends above the crown. It is also important not to harshly prune this species of sedge—care should be taken to avoid cutting healthy foliage or stems.

Season

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

Willdenow's Sedge typically starts flowering in May.