Overview

Carex sylvatica is a clump forming, tufted 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 sylvatica grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. It is low maintenance. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, low maintenance, flower borders and beds, garden edging and wildlife gardens.

About

Carex sylvatica is a species of sedge found in deciduous woodlands across Europe. It typically reaches 60 cm (24 in) tall, and has an inflorescence made up of 3–5 pendent female spikes and a single male spike. It is also used as a garden plant, and has been introduced to North America and New Zealand. In the wild it grows across North America, Albania, Altay, Austria, Baltic States and other regions. It grows to around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, carrying evergreen foliage. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, poorly-drained conditions and east-facing, north-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Carex sylvatica

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

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Carex

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained

Aspect

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

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Carex sylvatica size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Grass Like, Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Clump forming, Tufted

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

0.5-1 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

2-5 years

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Carex sylvatica

Propagation

Division in mid spring to early summer, Division in spring, Seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring, Seed sown in autumn

Pest resistance

Aphids

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions