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Glaucous sedge

Carex flacca · Cyperaceae

The gardener's calendar

The right move for September

Ideal time to plant glaucous sedge: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.

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ID card

Foliage
Evergreen, glaucous blue-grey
Flowering
Spring (April-May)
Mature size
30-40 cm tall × 40-60 cm wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Hardiness
Very hardy (-15°C and below)
Origin
Europe, Western Asia and North Africa
Soil type
Well-drained, tolerates poor and chalky soils

Care

Light exposure

Plant your glaucous sedge in full sun to part shade to preserve the characteristic blue tint of the foliage. In overly shaded locations, the plant loses its distinctive colour. It adapts well to windy spots and resists direct exposure very well.

Watering

Very little watering needed after establishment. During the first year, keep the soil slightly moist. Once established, this carex tolerates drought well and only needs regular watering during prolonged hot spells.

Soil

Glaucous sedge thrives in well-drained, poor to moderately rich soils. It tolerates chalky and clayey soils remarkably well, as well as dry soils. Avoid prolonged waterlogging which could cause rhizome rot.

Pruning and cutting

Comb through the foliage with a rake or by hand to remove dry and dead leaves in late winter or early spring. A trim with shears can cut the plant back to 10-15 cm if it becomes too dense. This grass tolerates such light interventions well.

Fertilizer

No fertilizer is necessary, as this plant prefers poor soils. Enriched soil could promote overly vigorous growth and dilute the glaucous colour. A light mulch in spring is quite sufficient.

Diseases and pests

Very resistant to diseases. Problems mainly occur in chronically waterlogged soil. No significant pests affect this species. Good drainage prevents most health issues.

Did you know?

The glaucous sedge owes its scientific name 'flacca' (which means 'soft' or 'flabby' in Latin) to the remarkable flexibility of its stems and leaves. Long used in ecological gardening to stabilize banks and restore degraded wetland areas, it plays a discreet but valuable role in ecosystems, while offering a unique blue-grey hue that distinguishes it elegantly in contemporary compositions.

Where to buy it

Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.

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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.