Carex pendula

RHS Plant Profile
pendulous sedge

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pendulous sedge visionspictures.com
pendulous sedge visionspictures.com

Other common names

great pendulous sedge, hesgen ddibynnaidd fwyaf

Synonyms

Carex maxima

Aquatic Bogs Grass Like
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A vigorous, grass-like, hardy, native perennial forming large clumps up to 1.5m tall, of dark green, narrow, pleated leaves, with tall stems bearing slender, drooping flower spikes

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Chalk, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–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
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, Tufted
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 Afghanistan, Macaronesia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist or wet soil in sun or partial shade. Will tolerate drier soils but will not grow as tall. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well. For more information see pendulous sedge

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn, or by division from mid-spring to early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes

Pruning

Remove flower stems to prevent seeding. Cut out any dead foliage as it appears

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids damaging stem bases

Diseases

Generally disease-free