How to Plant and Grow Sedge : thegardenerplanet.blogspot.com

How to Plant and Grow Sedge

In recent years, gardeners have discovered sedges as a hardy, evergreen perennial alternative for many areas of the yard. Sedges are frequently mislabeled as decorative grass due to their appearance, but they belong to their own plant family, Cyperaceae; many horticultural cultivars in the retail trade are from the Carex genus. This is a huge plant family, with many native to North America and a few native to Texas. Sedges, whatever you call them, are a versatile and cost-effective addition to any garden. Let's go over the fundamentals of selecting, growing, and caring for sedges.

Where to Plant Sedges

Before you make a purchase, consider the location. Sedges prefer protection from full summer sun, so any location with morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered light is good; sedges can even grow in full shade, making them an excellent choice for beneath a tree or on the north and east corners of a property. Once planted, they are drought resilient, but they benefit from regular watering. Sedges can even survive constant dampness, making them an excellent choice for places that are frequently damp.

Next, examine the size. Sedges, like many ornamental grasses, have a naturally thick, mounding shape and grow to be roughly as tall as they are wide. With few exceptions, they rarely grow taller over 24 inches. Because of their tiny size and growing habits, they are suitable for bulk planting along the front edge of a border or under trees or larger shrubs.

Types of Sedge Plants

When you've determined the optimal placement and size for that site, the fun part begins: choosing the right sedge. Sedges come in a wide range of colors and textures, and North Haven Gardens carries a large selection (when available).

Prairie Fire™ sedge (Carex testacea' Prairie Fire') grows to 24 inches tall and wide, with green-bronze foliage tipped with orange. In brighter lighting, these orange accents become more intense and add a distinct flash of color.

The EverColor collection, which includes cultivars such as Everglow, Everillo, Eversheen, and Everest, offers a variety of sizes and hues, from bright lime to forest green, as well as variegated foliage with cream or yellow stripes.

Texas sedge (Carex texensis) and Cherokee sedge (Carex cherokeensis) are ideal alternatives for native-plant gardens in Texas. These tough, long-lived perennials will become an essential component of any landscape design, so it's worth spending the time to find the best option for your planting.

Where to Plant Sedges

Standard "best practices" for planting perennials also apply to planting sedges. If the soil has not been modified, add compost to improve drainage and provide low-level fertilization. Soak the plant in a root stimulant solution before planting, then again shortly after planting, and continue to water with a root stimulator weekly for several months.
Soil and water requirements

In addition, keep an eye on the soil's moisture level and water slowly and deeply when the top inch is dry. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are excellent choices; never use an in-ground sprinkler system to irrigate perennials, shrubs, or trees. Maintain a layer of mulch around the plants; pine straw or pine bark are perfect since, like many shade-loving plants, sedges thrive in a slightly acidic climate.

When to plant sedges?

Sedges can be planted at any time of year, but in the Metroplex, spring and fall are the best planting seasons because options are at their peak in nurseries.

 

Sedge Plant Care.

Sedges are straightforward to maintain. In early spring, remove old or dead leaves by cutting back by at least ½. Then, renew mulch and fertilize with a mild, slightly acidic fertilizer, such as Espoma® Holly Tone. Follow up with a second fertilization in late summer.

Potting and Repotting

As the plants develop, they will gradually spread out and form a larger clump, and it is simple to reproduce sedges by dividing them in early spring. After cutting back the cluster, use a sharp shovel to dig up half of the plant. Prepare a hole (as indicated above) for the transplant, then treat both plants as if they were fresh plantings: a root stimulator soak, a monthly root stimulator watering, constant watering in between, and a layer of mulch.

Sedge containers

Sedges perform particularly well in part-shade containers. The smaller size is appropriate, and the plant's evergreen nature provides a color accent throughout the year. A color pot with a sedge is simple to design since the foundation plant is surrounded by colorful annuals such as pansies and violas in the fall and winter, alyssum and petunias in the spring, and begonias and impatiens in the summer.