Japanese sedgeis a short, grassy, undemanding and fast growing plant. Decorativevarieties of Japanese sedgewith an interesting color of leaves, forming low, neat clumps of leaves are recommended for gardens. Sedges tolerate both light and semi-shaded positions. See whatJapanese sedge cultivation looks likein the garden, where it is worth planting and how to properly care for this plant.
Japanese sedge 'Ice Dance'
Photo. depositphotos.com
What does a Japanese sedge look like
Japanese sedge(Carex morrowii), also referred to as Morrow sedge, belongs to the extremely numerous family of Ciboridae (Cyperacea). It is a long-lived grassy species native to Japan. The leaves are even, triangular in cross-section. Long, arched leaves often have lighter edges or are streaked. Depending on the varietyJapanese sedge leavescan take various colors.
Morrow sedge clumps are not high , grow up to 20-40 cm in height and 40 cm wide. The plant blooms in March and April, and unlike grasses, the inflorescences are not particularly decorative.
Japanese sedge - application
Japanese sedge is an undemanding and fast-growing plantthat looks great in the company of coniferous and deciduous shrubs, perennials, as a solitaire or planted in small groups. It is often used as a counterbalance to blooming, colorful perennials.
Japanese sedge goes wellwith geese, brunera or funky. In spring, it is an excellent backdrop for tulips, narcissus and other bulbs that bloom in this period. In autumnJapanese sedge will look goodnext to plants such as anemone or monkshood.
Japanese sedge is usedto decorate the coastal zone of streams and joints. They work well as border plants in shaded parts of the garden. Due to its small size,Japanese sedge can be a decorationrock gardens, and when planted in pots, it is sometimes used to decorate balconies and terraces.
Japanese sedge - varieties
Japanese sedge 'Vanilla Ice'- is an evergreen, very decorative grassy plant with narrow, overhanging, two-colored leaves. The leaves have a broad, creamy border, and the center of the lamina is green with creamy, thin stripes.
Japanese sedge 'Variegata'- has white or silver-edged, long, overhanging leaves. The plant blooms in spring, but the yellow heads of the inflorescences are not particularly decorative.
Japanese sedge 'Variegata'
Fig. depositphotos.com
Japanese sedge 'Gold Band'- characterized by thick thick leaves with yellowish-cream stripes.
Japanese sedge 'Everglow'- is one of nine varieties belonging to the EverColor series - interestingly colored and awarded varieties of Japanese sedge. This unique variety produces leaves whose green gill has fairly wide creamy margins. With the onset of autumn, they turn orange. This sedge variety looks beautiful as a ground cover plant, and when planted in pots, it is a year-round decoration of balconies and terraces.
Japanese sedge 'Silver Tassel'- is distinguished by a dense clump of silvery-white leaves with an emerald-green rim. It can be an interesting decoration in shady, damp corners of the garden.
Japanese sedge 'Irish Green'- creates decorative, dense clumps that grow up to 30-40 cm in height. The long, glossy leaves are juicy green in color.
Japanese sedge 'Ice Dance'- is a variety with long, narrow, pointed, light green leaves with a creamy margin. It blooms from April to June, forming brown ears with long yellow stamens. It is very resistant to diseases and pests.
Japanese sedge - cultivation
Growing and caring for sedgewill not be a problem even for an amateur gardening. You just have to remember that this short plant has the ability to cover the surface very quickly with runners. So it can be burdensome if we choose the wrong site for it.
Sedge is not demanding , it can grow both in the sun and in partial shade, preferably in a place sheltered from the wind. Its soil is average, permeable and fairly moist. Very moist or strongly crusted soils should be avoided.
Japanese sedge - watering and fertilization
Japanese sedge is moisture-loving Planted in a sunny location or in a container, it will require regular watering. Due to the lack of sufficient water, the plant loses its attractive color and the tips of the leaves turn brown and wither.Sedge should be wateredwhen the top layer of soil is dry to the touch.Sedge responds well to organic fertilization. It has a positive effect on the density and color of plants. In early spring, it is worth supplementing the plants with compost or watering them with diluted vermicompost throughout the growing season.
Japanese sedge - wintering
Despite the considerable resistance to frost (depending on the variety, these are plant hardiness zones 5-7) with the onset of cold weatherit is worth covering the sedges withcloth or agrotextile. In snow-free winters, these cold-wind-sensitive plants may not do well without cover.
Japanese sedge - reproduction
After a few years, the center of the plant may die and not sprout new leaves.This means it's time to rejuvenate the plant.Japanese sedgecan be split every two or three years in the spring. In this way, we not only rejuvenate the plant, but also acquire new seedlings. 3-5 plants are planted per 1 m², which will cover the entire surface in 2-3 years.
Japanese sedge - cut
In the fall, the above-ground parts of the Japanese sedge die, only to be reborn from their storage roots in spring.Trimming Japanese sedgeis not necessary, but it will improve its appearance. Therefore, in early spring, the plants should be trimmed close to the ground, removing the frozen, withered leaves. This will stimulate the plant to sprout new leaves.
Vigorously growing grasses should be limited at regular intervals. To do this, trim the overgrowing plants with a spade and don't worry - the sedge will regenerate very quickly.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
