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Herbaceous PerennialBogsGrass Like

Carex acuta

slender-tufted sedge

A slender, tufted sedge forming clumps of narrow leaves up to 90cm tall; spikes bearing brown flowers appear in late spring and summer

Other common names
slender-spiked sedge
Synonyms
Carex gracilis

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Brown Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Cyperaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous or Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Carex can be deciduous or evergreen, rhizomatous or tufted perennials, with triangular stems bearing linear or strap-shaped leaves and short or long spikes of tiny green or brown flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Europe to C. Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in a reliably moist soil or submerged in shallow margins of ponds in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Foliage can be cut back to just above water surface in autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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