Carex acuta

RHS Plant Profile
slender-tufted sedge

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slender-tufted sedge RHS

Other common names

slender-spiked sedge, hesgen eiddil dywysennog

Synonyms

Carex gracilis

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cyperaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous, 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