Carex punicea

RHS Plant Profile

red hook sedge

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Synonyms

Uncinia rubra var. fallax
Uncinia rubra

Grass Like

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a tufted, evergreen, perennial sedge to 30cm, with glossy reddish-green or red-brown leaves and dark brown to black flower spikes in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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): H3

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cyperaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: 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: New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Intolerant of full sun on poor dry soil but will tolerate full sun if soil is constantly moist

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a warm glass house in spring or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Rock garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free