Carex dipsacea

RHS Plant Profile
teasel sedge

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teasel sedge RHS

Other common names

Autumn sedge, green sedge

Synonyms

Carex dipsacea 'Tahoata'

Grass Like
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An evergreen sedge forming dense clumps, to 75cm tall, of hair-like, olive-green leaves. In winter, the foliage takes on orange, yellow and bronze tints - especially when grown in full sun. In summer, flower stems shorter than the leaves bear between four and eight black flower spikes up to 2.5cm long

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cyperaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, 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
New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers moist conditions in sun or part shade. Ideal for a bog or rock garden

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or by division in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Comb, rake out or cut back any dead leaves and flowers in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust