Carex flaccosperma: Blue wood sedge

Blue Wood SedgeLatin name: Carex flaccosperma
Common name: Blue Wood Sedge
Flowers: Non showy flowers9
Fruit: Insignificant9
Height & Width: 1’ x 1’9
Type: Sedge9
Wetland indicator category**: FAC+(2)17
Habit: Upright clumps9
Texture: Medium16
Growth rate: Slow16
Light: Part shade16
Moisture: Medium to wet16
Soil: Fine or medium16
Zones: 5 to 89
Origin: Southeast9
Features: This is a low laying herb that grows in attractive clumps up to a foot tall. Typically found in wetter conditions it frequents wet woodlands and swampy areas. The leaves are blue-green, glaucous, and slender in appearance. The flowers are small, greenish, and not noticeable when they flower in the spring.9

Siting: Carex should be planted in moister areas that receive some shade. They are full shade tolerant but perform better when some direct sunlight is received each day. The soil should be slightly acidic and finer in texture. Too coarse of a soil does not retain enough moisture and could lead to plant death.9, 18

Care: Plant in suitable site with adequate soil organic matter so that the crown of the plant is at the soil surface18. Ensure the soil is adequately moist immediately after planting. Keep soil moist but not soggy until plant is established. Once plant is established water deeply but infrequently whenever the soil surface is dry or almost dry 2” below the soil surface.18

Pests: No serious insect or disease problems.

Author: Susie Lombardo, Editor: Alexander Smolka

Sources 1-18 found on Sources page