About
Carex riparia is a robust perennial that spreads through rhizomes. It features narrow, blue-green leaves and produces tall stems topped with thick, upright, dark brown flower spikes that emerge in early summer.
About the genus
Carex encompasses both deciduous and evergreen species, characterized by their rhizomatous or tufted growth habits. These perennials feature triangular stems topped with linear or strap-like foliage, and they produce spikes that can be either short or elongated, adorned with small green or brown flowers.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Aquatic, Bogs, Grass Like
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
- Native to
- Europe to C Asia & S S. Amer.
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile, moist or wet soil in sun or partial shade. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice
- Pruning
- Cut back after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in autumn, or by division from mid-spring to early summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free