Japanese sedge ∗ The 10 best planting and care tips (Carex)

Characteristics

• Scientific name: Carex morrowii
• Family: Sourgrass family (Cyperaceae)
• Origin: Japan
• Growth type: grass
• Growth form: hemispherical, overhanging
• Growth height: 30 cm to 40 cm
• Leaf: linear-lanceolate, pointed
• Flower: spike
• Roots: Shallow roots
• Toxicity: non-toxic
• Hardiness: hardy
• Use: ornamental grass, ground cover

growth

the japanese sedge (Carex morrowii) is a perennial herbaceous species in the genus sedges (Carex) within the sourgrass family (Cyperaceae). The grass species is native to the cool, moderate climate of Japan, preferably in open forests, on the edge of trees and in shady, damp outdoor areas. In Central Europe, the Japansedge a high esteem as a versatile ornamental grass with groundcover qualities. These growth characteristics are characteristic of a Japanese sedge:

• growth habit: hemispherical, clump-forming, arching, overhanging, evergreen culms, upright flower spikes.
• growth height: 30cm to 40cm.
• growth width: 30cm to 50cm.
• root: shallow root system with short stolons.
• Award: Perennial of the Year 2015
• Horticulturally interesting properties: easy to care for, hardy, ground-covering, tolerates root pressure, non-toxic, shade-tolerant.

White-colored Japanese sedge transforms barren fallow land into a green area worth seeing

Sheet

The Japanese sedge is characterized by a dense tuft of leaves with these characteristics:

• leaf shape: linear, acuminate, grassy, ​​triangular, sharp-edged, arching overhanging.
• sheet property: evergreen, evergreen in hardiness zones Z5 and Z6.
• leaf color: dark green

blossom

Filigree lightness characterizes the appearance of a Japanese sedge when these flowers rise above the tuft of leaves:

• flower shape: terminal spike.
• flower color: yellowish brown.
• heyday: March to May.
• flower ecology: monoecious, separating sexes.
• pollination: wind

Pollinated flowers become achene fruits that send flying seeds to the four winds in late summer.

use

With its unobtrusive, elegant appearance, the Japanese sedge is a source of inspiration for creative garden design. The following table provides an insight into the various possible uses:

When shrubs and hedges block the way to the light, the Japanese sedge makes itself useful as a beautiful ground cover all year round. The ornamental grass likes to communicate with perennials and acts as an evergreen filler. The Japanese sedge proves its true-to-style qualities in Asian garden design, either in large-scale Japanese gardens or in authentic ones zen garden on the balcony.

Plant Japanese sedge

The best time to plant the Japanese sedge is in autumn. The time window for planting on the balcony opens in spring. Carex morrowii purchased in containers can be planted at any time of the year as long as the soil is not frozen or parched. Where and how to properly plant a Japanese sedge, read here:

Location, soil, substrate

When choosing a location, the Japanese sedge proves its qualities as a problem solver for shady locations:

• Light conditions: penumbra until shadow.
• Soil quality: fresh, moist, well-drained, loamy-sandy, neutral to slightly acidic pH value.
• Substrate: pot plant or rhododendron soil without peat content, enriched with expanded clay and coconut hum.

Mild summer sun does not harm the ornamental grass. However, if the Japanese sedge is planted in a location with blazing winter sun and cold wind, there is a risk of irreversible leaf damage.

planting tips

Before planting, please put on gloves and place the Japanese sedge with the root ball in water. Read useful planting tips here:

• In the field, the Japanese sedge is planted as a group with 5 to 10 specimens.
• A planting hole has twice the volume of the root ball.
• heavier clay soil is loosened up with sand or coconut fiber substrate.
• The correct planting distance is 30 cm to 50 cm in the bed, 15 cm to 25 cm in the planter.
• A 5 cm thick layer is first laid out in the pot or window box expanded clay(€19.00 at Amazon*) filled in as drainage.

Thorough watering on the day of planting and in the following weeks makes an important contribution to rooting in the bed and planter.

digression

Beware of razor-sharp edges

Maintain Japanese sedge

The Japanese sedge is very easy to care for. The simple care program is dealt with in just a few words. Don't miss out on these care tips:

Pour

Please keep the soil constantly slightly moist. Soft rainwater or decalcified tap water is primarily suitable as irrigation water. Drought stress causes irreversible brown leaf tips. Hard, calcareous irrigation water causes the dark green leaves to turn yellow.

Fertilize

Outdoors, the Japanese sedge is grateful for a start fertilization in March/April. Well suited are compost, horn shavings,(€9.00 at Amazon*) bark humus and guano.(€13.00 at Amazon*) Potted ornamental grass provide you with a liquid fertilizer for green plants monthly from March to September.

To cut

Evergreen and wintergreen sedge grasses are not cut. On the contrary, a pruning delays the fresh budding until early summer. In February, use both hands to comb out isolated, dried-up stalks of grass from the tuft of grass.

propagation

You can multiply a Japanese sedge by division in the spring. To do this, place the dug up perennial on a solid surface. With spade or knife cut the root ball into several parts. Alternatively, cut off fist-sized segments from the eyrie. The sections are planted again at the new location in loose, fresh, moist soil.

hibernate

Carex morrowii is certified as winter hardy down to – 28° Celsius. No special winter protection measures need to be taken for well-rooted, planted sedge grasses. Potted Japanese sedges, on the other hand, are susceptible to frost damage. How to properly overwinter a Japanese sedge:

• A Japanese sedge in the bed in the year of planting mulch with leaves and needles.
• Place the planter in a shady, wind-protected niche and cover it with fleece or jute.
• Winter care: water sparingly when dry, do not fertilize.

Popular Varieties

With these beautiful varieties, the Japanese sedge is applying for a place in the garden, on the balcony and terrace:

• Japanese sedge 'Ice dance': Premium variety with white-edged, dark green stalks, beautiful as a hemispherical, carpet-forming ground cover, 30 to 40 cm high and up to 50 cm wide.
• Carex morrowii 'Variegata': closes open ground areas outdoors as a decorative ornamental grass with green and white veined culms and light yellow flower spikes in spring.
• Japanese Goldrimmed Sedge: evergreen perennial companion with golden-yellow striped blades of grass and yellowish spikes from March.
• Carex morrowii 'Silver Scepter': low, cushion-forming Japanese sedge with white variegated leaves, ideal ground cover for the front garden, growth height 20 cm to 30 cm.

FAQ

Is a Japanese sedge poisonous?

No, the Japanese sedge does not contain any toxic ingredients. Of course, the sharp edges of the leaves should not be underestimated. A wrong move in the eyrie can cause bloody cuts. Please always wear robust work gloves with cuffs for planting and care work.

Should you cut a Japanese sedge?

The evergreen Japanese sedge does not necessarily have to be cut in spring. However, if the winter releases the ornamental grass with brown leaves or brown leaf tips, pruning is recommended. The decision needs to be well thought out. In contrast to deciduous ornamental grasses, the Japanese sedge only sprouts fresh stalks after the flowering period.

Can the white-edged Japanese sedge also be planted in November?

The white-edged Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii 'Variegata') is hardy and very robust. Thanks to these properties, the ornamental grass can be planted at any time of the year, as long as the ground is not frozen.

How does the Japanese sedge cope with the winter sun if the trees' foliage does not provide shade?

As a ground cover under deciduous trees, the Japanese sedge is mostly protected by the branches and fallen autumn leaves. In this case, there is no risk of leaf damage from sunburn. If, on the other hand, the winter sun hits the ornamental grass completely unfiltered, we recommend covering it with a shading net.