Species Sedge

Sedge

Carex x exsalina

Sedge (Carex x exsalina) is a perennial, rhizomatous grass-like plant with an upright clumping habit. The linear, semi-evergreen foliage forms dense, bluish-green mounds reaching up to 2’ tall with a spread of up to 4’. Flowers emerge from late spring to early summer in fluffy brown spikes up to 8” long, each with 3 large yellow to cream-colored stamens. This versatile and resilient species is best in full to partial sun and requires moderate to low-watering. Deer-resistant and salt-tolerant, sedge also performs well in wet and dry areas. It makes a striking addition to rock gardens, banks, and low-lying borders in water gardens.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation,Stolon,Rhizome Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Sedge is a plant that requires regular watering to grow and thrive. It needs to be watered when the top 2 inches of soil feels dry. To water this plant, you should water thoroughly; make sure the water is soaking through the root zone, and that any runoff is being absorbed into the soil. You should water it about once a week, and you can gauge how much to use based on the type of soil the plant is in, as well as its size. In general, you should aim to use enough water to moisten the entire root zone.

sunlight

Sedge (Carex x exsalina) is a plant species that prefers full sun for optimal growth and flowering. It should receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day for optimal plant health. In the summer months, when days are longer and the sun is at its strongest, this can be reduced to 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the wintertime, the hours of sunlight can increase to 8 or more. It is also important to provide adequate shade when temperatures are highest. In the spring, autumn, and winter, when temperatures are lower, the plant may require more direct sunlight in order to promote vigorous growth.

pruning

For proper care, Sedge (Carex x exsalina) should be pruned twice each year, once in spring (April or May) and again in late summer (August or September). In spring, pruning is used to maintain a desired size and shape and to control the growth of new shoots. When pruning in spring, it is important not to cut back too much all at once as this can cause the stems to become too weak, resulting in poor growth. Pruning in late summer is used to thin out older, more leggy growth and encourage new growth. The stems should be pruned back to a healthy side shoot or in some cases, right down to the soil. A pair of pruning shears or a pair of garden scissors is the best implement to use when pruning sedge.