Overview

Carex divulsa is a clump forming grass like in the genus Carex, part of the Cyperaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Carex divulsa grows best in full shade, full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5, H6, H7. It is low maintenance. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, prairie planting, coastal and wildlife gardens.

About

Carex divulsa is a clump-forming, grass-like sedge with evergreen foliage that reaches 0.5–1 metres. It usually takes 2–5 years to attain its mature height and spread. Flowering occurs from May to July. It grows in full sun to full shade and tolerates a broad range of soils and exposures.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Carex divulsa

About the genus

Carex is a vast genus of over 2,000 species of grass-like plants in the family Cyperaceae, commonly known as sedges. Other members of the family Cyperaceae are also called sedges; however, those of genus Carex may be called true sedges. Carex is the most species-rich genus in the family.

Wikipedia contributors, "Carex", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Carex

In the garden

Carex divulsa is a clump-forming, grass-like member of the sedge family with evergreen leaves and a compact habit, reaching 0.5–1 metres tall and wide. Flowering takes place from May to July, producing upright inflorescences above the foliage. Allow 2–5 years for plants to fill their eventual spread. Plant where it will receive anything from full sun to full shade; it adapts to chalk, clay, loam or sand and thrives across acid, alkaline or neutral soils. Soil moisture can range from well-drained to poorly drained, including moist but free-draining situations. It suits west-, south-, north- and east-facing aspects and will tolerate both exposed and sheltered sites. In UK hardiness terms it falls within H5–H7 (hardy to fully hardy), so it withstands typical outdoor conditions across most of the country. Use Carex divulsa in cottage and informal borders, gravel or prairie schemes, coastal plots and wildlife gardens, and it is equally at home in patio containers. Its evergreen tussocks give structure through winter while flowering spikes appear in late spring to mid-summer. For long-term planting, monitor for congestion as the clumps establish over several seasons.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Carex

Sunlight

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained, Well-drained

Aspect

West-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5, H6, H7

Plant details

Carex divulsa size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Grass Like

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

0.5-1 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

2-5 years

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Prairie planting, Coastal, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Carex divulsa

Propagation

Seed sown in autumn, Division from mid-spring to early summer

Pest resistance

Aphids

Disease resistance

Rust, Smut, Leaf spot

Frequently asked questions