Sedge is a plant that has been known to mankind since the time Ancient Rome. In appearance it is somewhat reminiscent of cereals. The habitat of the plant is marshy areas, as well as areas of land adjacent to water bodies, which indicates that for the growth of sedge it is necessary a large number of moisture. Recognizing the plant is not as difficult as it seems. It is distinguished by a characteristic triangular stem with rounded or sharp leaves. Everything will depend on what type of plant we are talking about. website
In any case, sedge is a perennial herb, the rhizome of which can be either short or long. Again, it all depends on the species, not the genus. Thus, the genus Carex includes a huge number of species that can differ not only in height, but also in appearance, and even in environmental requirements. Carex grows in the mountains, in Arctic regions, in swamps and lowlands, in sandstones, peat bogs and acidic wet meadows.
Decorative properties of sedge
Culture can also be decorative. The Japanese, for example, have long used sedge to decorate traditional gardens, along with maples, irises and hostas. There are a lot of decorative plant varieties. In individual catalogs you can find more than 150 varieties, of which 50 are particularly popular. The origin of ornamental sedge is very diverse, including regions of Europe, North America, Far East and New Zealand. Depending on what decorative effect you want to achieve in the garden, you can choose a plant that grows like a dense cushion, a green carpet or a large shrub. The decorative effect of sedge is especially evident during the flowering period, when beautiful dust particles hang from the flower on thin threads.
Cultivation
If you want to plant this wonderful ornamental plant, you will have to carefully study the type that you have chosen for yourself. For example, one crop will love shade, while others will only grow in full sun. Some grow in acidic peat bogs, while others prefer dry places with lime. For rockeries and slides, it is best to choose European sedge no more than 20 centimeters high. For growing in shaded areas, it is better to focus on plantain and black sedge.
How to get rid of a weed?
Despite all of the above, the weed species of sedge, which in scientific circles is called “round sedge,” is quite common and ubiquitous. It is very difficult to get rid of this weed, and lawns suffer mercilessly from it. You have to regularly weed the lawn, looking for the slightest sign of a weed plant, and do this exclusively by hand. But first things first.
1. How to recognize sedge?
If you have a neat lawn, then you will probably recognize the round lawn by the tufts growing out of place. The weed is light and tall, so it catches the eye. At the same time, if the plant has not grown high enough, then you will have to carefully look for these characteristic tufts, skillfully camouflaged in the lawn. Inspect leaves growing from the ground. Sedge is characterized by a tough and dense stem from which three leaves emerge. Ordinary grass has only two leaves. Next, inspect the stem of the plant suspected of belonging to the weed genus. On the broken edge, three edges and a solid core are clearly visible. Common grass has round stems with a hollow core. Finally, to completely dispel all suspicions for yourself, get to the root using a garden trowel. At the root you will notice the characteristic nut-shaped fruits. The roots themselves go 30-45 centimeters deep.
2. Do-it-yourself weeding
Using gardening gloves, begin digging into the soil. Without gloves, you won’t be able to wash off the dirt later. Having found the sedge, insert a garden shovel nearby and plant it into the ground to its full length. Be aware of how deep the weed's roots grow. This is where you need to get. Having reached the edge of the root, we remove the plant from the ground with extreme care so as not to break the root branches. Leave one in the ground and the weed will grow back. Dig some more and make sure that not a single root remains. The dug up plant with roots should not be thrown into a hole, but into a trash bin, in order to completely avoid contamination of other areas.
3. Use of various means
Such means mean either chemical herbicides or ordinary sugar, which is classified as folk remedies. In the spring, when sedge is just beginning to sprout, first water the lawn thoroughly so that the moisture saturates the soil well. Next, using sugar, sprinkle the lawn in straight lines, with maximum uniformity. It turns out that sugar perfectly “eats” the weed, but at the same time, it has an extremely life-giving effect on the lawn.
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How to make a rocky hill or rock garden with your own hands?
The coasts of water bodies are inhabited by moisture-loving plants. These include sedge. In its appearance, it is somewhat reminiscent of cereals - it has the same long leaves and inflorescences on fragile stems. But cereals are not hollow from the inside, and also have a triangular stem shape. In cereals it is cylindrical. Today, a large number of sedge species have been discovered.
Sedge - grass, beneficial features which are used in folk medicine and homeopathy. Rhizomes are especially valuable in this regard. They remove inflammation, relieve pain and kill pathogenic microbes.
In total, two large categories of plants can be distinguished. The first is hummock-forming varieties. Their root system is short. Sedge is a plant that forms clear, dense tussocks. There are types of sedge:
- high;
- fox;
- turfy;
- drooping;
- cribriform;
- I'm milling.
Sedge is a plant that can reach a meter in height. Its ears stick out in different directions and have an impressive length. The species is divided into two subspecies with yellow leaves edged with green stripes and characterized by small stature.
Turf grass, which is easy to cut, forms tall, oval-shaped tussocks. The leaves are narrow and dark green. The inflorescences are small, low, barely noticeable. The foliage is light green, distinguished by closely spaced spikelets, where male and female buds are mixed with each other. The flowers are large.
The drooping variety can reach a meter in height. The leaves are pure green and wide. The culture produces brown ears. The sieve-like plant has spikelets that hang slightly to the ground, greenish with a yellow tint, and quite large. They are collected in a bun.
The millet variety has a blue tint, is small in height, not exceeding 40 cm, and has an elegant shape. It is decorated with small decorative spikelets that sit on small peduncles.
Second variety of sedge- sprawling views.
These are separate species with long rhizomes. They are more difficult to handle as they require constant care. There are types:
Coastal sedge is represented by the species Variegata. It has white longitudinal stripes on its leaves. There is a variety of Aurea. Its leaves are yellow. Aquatic sedge has a nondescript appearance. The shade of its leaves is grayish with a slight green tint. The pointed appearance has leaves with a blue and greenish tint. In general, the appearance is quite faded and discreet.
An aquatic plant can be characterized in much the same way. The vesicular variety has female inflorescences in the form of sacs, which are distinguished by a yellowish tint. They sit on large ears of corn. Black sedge has tall inflorescences. Due to the dark scales, it seems as if the ears are dark. The foliage has a bluish color.
The acute variety is widespread in the area Central Asia, Siberia and Europe. It can be found on muddy and sandy shores of reservoirs. It lives mainly in the taiga zone. Its rhizomes are creeping. The roots do not have the yellow felt characteristic of this plant. The bases have vaginas of a reddish and brown hue.
The leaves are slightly gray, flat, and reach a width of 2 to 6 mm. Their length coincides with the length of the stem. The latter have a triangular shape, slightly rough at the top, and grow up to 100 cm in height. The pistil spikelets are cylindrical, sessile.
The leaves and stem may be rough, and therefore there is a risk of cutting yourself if you accidentally touch them. The skin of the leaf is impregnated with silica. It is its smallest components that provide the cutting properties of the plant. Inflorescences- spikelets that sit on long legs. Creeping rhizomes allow the crop to grow. This type of sedge grows well directly in water.
Many sedges like moist areas. But this particular species is capable of growing directly in water. It reaches a height of more than a meter and has a triangular peduncle. There are from 4 to 6 spikelets on the stem. Flowering begins around May. The stem has a smooth structure. The aquatic species can be found over vast areas, including in the north.
Another type, net-shaped sedge, on the contrary, settles on muddy or sandy shores. Prefers lakes and rivers temperate zones Central Europe and taiga. She settles in swamps and damp meadows. It can be seen in the Far East, Kazakhstan and Siberia, the European part of Russia.
The plant varies from 5 to 30 cm in height and forms a dense turf. The leaf width ranges from 2 to 3 mm. The inflorescence is quite dense, capitate. It reaches 2 cm in diameter and has a wrinkled surface due to its rather long pouch-like spouts. At the base it has several colored leaves, which are much larger than the bud itself. It is better to place it on a damp sandy area.
The first variety is typical for the Far East, the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Where does Capricorn sedge grow:
- subtropics:
- zones with moderate heat levels.
Plants reach from 30 to 70 cm in height, densely turfy. The length of the leaves ranges from 6 to 12 mm. They are pointed, longer than the stem.
The ears are short, cylindrical or oblong. They are located on short legs. The sacs, which represent female buds, look like an awl. Their teeth are arched and slightly bent. In some ways they resemble goat horns, hence the name. Budding begins in late spring. The fruits are formed in July.
Winged sedge was first discovered in Europe. It still grows there today. The plant also settles in the countries of North Africa and the Caucasus. This species loves slightly flooded meadows, lake shores and oxbow lakes. It is a perennial that can reach a height of 60 cm. It forms bunches of shoots in the shape of an arc or erect. Plants have thin and hard leaves. Golden forms of the culture are distinguished. They are quite rare, but are used as garden aquatic plants. The Aura species just has a yellow border.
Gray's sedge and cottonmouth
Gray's sedge grows on the shores of North America. The height of the cereal crop varies from 30 to 60 cm. The leaves are yellowish with a green tint, resemble a trough, and are narrow. They are directed vertically and have a rigid structure. The fruits are so unusual that they gave the culture the name morning star.
The seed sacs are up to 1.5 cm long and large. They form spherical stars with a beautiful appearance. The foliage is erect and deep green. Flowering continues from June to August. The plant remains green almost until November. It feels good in damp areas and along the banks of water bodies. At the same time, sedge can grow on soils exposed to bright sun and in dry places.
It is better to place it one by one, when arranging borders. It is also a good idea to plant the plant along the banks of reservoirs. When cut, it is suitable for arranging, including as a dried flower.
Sitnichek loves damp, swampy areas of the taiga and tundra. The plant forms numerous thin shoots. The leaf width is from 1 to 2 mm. The inflorescences are quite impressive in size, consisting of three cylindrical spikelets.
Big-headed sedge grows in the coastal zone. It can also be found in the western regions of the North American continent. The plant is dioecious, has a creeping root, reaches a height of 5 cm. The stems are slightly thick, triangular. The leaves are leathery and longer than the stems. The inflorescences are pistillate, large, and book-shaped. Mature sacs are noticeably splayed to the sides. The species can be cultivated on sandy soil. It is desirable that it be salty and raw.
The palm-leaved variety grows in wet meadows and lowland forests. The perennial has erect shoots and tufted foliage. In some ways it resembles papyrus. He looks very exotic. The foliage sits on a rather weak stem.
The leaves are narrow and pointed. If you look at appearance plants, it becomes clear why it was called palm-shaped. Its root system is spreading a little.
Flowers appear in June or mid-summer. The species is distinguished by the typical shade of both foliage and flowers. With the onset of the cold season, the species retains its green tint until mid-January. At the beginning of March, the leaves are removed. This is explained by the fact that sedge grows quite early and is classified as a cold-growing species. It can grow in moist soil or in the shade, but is also tolerant of sunlight. It can be propagated by division.
It is a perennial with amber rhizomes. It has numerous roots and a flattened stem. There is a gutter in the central part. The flowers are collected in spikelets at the ends of the stem. A fruit is formed - a dry nut. The grass has become widespread in Transnistria and the Kyiv region. It is found in Southern Transcaucasia.
The grass loves well-lit forests and meadows and can reach subalpine latitudes. It forms dense thickets.
The leaves of this plant are used as medicinal raw materials. They are assembled in early and mid-summer. The crop is cut with a knife at a height of 7 cm from the soil surface, after which any impurities are removed by placing it in baskets or canvas bags. Dry it in the open air, spreading it in a layer of 5 cm and turning it over regularly. In rainy weather, plant material is moved under a canopy. You can also keep it in the attic where there is good air circulation.
The leaves are rich in alkaloids. Brevicollin is the most valuable of these. He:
- activates labor;
- helps prevent postpartum hemorrhage;
- relaxes peripheral blood vessels;
- enhances intestinal motility.
It is prescribed for pneumonia and hypertension. To prepare the medicinal composition, pour 10 g of herb into a glass of hot water. Bring to a boil in a steam bath and hold for 15 minutes, then remove and leave for 45 minutes. Strain with gauze in several layers and increase the volume to the original volume. Take 3 times a day before meals, 2 tablespoons.
Sedge spreads rapidly when planted in open ground. Placing it in containers can restrain its growth. All varieties that form hummocks can be planted directly into the ground. Herbs can tolerate light shade. On the other hand, the reed and coastal varieties do not do well in such conditions.
Almost all of the listed species will grow excellently on marshy shores. You can even provide them with a immersion of 10 cm. The growth of crops must be controlled. Sedges need constant monitoring. With the onset of spring, it makes sense to think about cutting dry leaves. Grasses reproduce by division. Varieties with long rhizomes can be propagated throughout the season. For those that form hummocks, it is advisable to do this in the spring.
As for the application, sedge is used to decorate streams and various reservoirs. Species with unusual leaf shades will attract attention in large clumps. Various types create original color effects, which make sense to use for decorative purposes.
Many probably remember the Soviet cartoon about Little Raccoon, where the cute animal must overcome his fear of He-Who-Lives-In-the-Pond, because his mother instructed him to pick sweets for the holiday dinner. But in fact, this one, which grows in swamps and along, is not without reason a favorite delicacy of deer, elk and other living creatures; it has a lot of useful and even healing properties.
Chemical composition
It is necessary to immediately make a reservation that sedge is a unique grass in its own way. Traditional healers and herbalists have known and skillfully used its beneficial properties for a long time, while This plant is not used in official medicine. It is difficult to say which of these two facts is the cause and which is the effect, but detailed scientific research No one has studied the chemical composition of this plant either.
Did you know? Contrary to the existing stereotype, not all types of sedge grow near water. Some representatives of the genus grow in forests, steppes, deserts and even in the Arctic. Mountain species are considered the most useful; sometimes they can be found even at an altitude of more than three thousand meters. They contain the maximum amount of ascorbic acid and carotene.
In addition, in the world there are, according to various sources, from one and a half to two various types sedges that are scattered almost everywhere to the globe(in Russia alone there are about four hundred of them), so it is quite obvious that chemical composition of these plants may differ significantly.
From the point of view, the main interest is not the aerial part, but the rhizome of the sedge. The following substances were found in it:
Did you know? The Latin name of the plant, sárex, presumably comes from the ancient Greek κείρω, that is, “to cut.” The obvious analogy is the razor-sharp leaves of this herb, which are very easy to injure thanks to the tiny teeth that cover their entire perimeter. The Slavic analogues of the name of the plant have the same roots: “sedge” in Russian and Ukrainian, “asaka” in Belarusian and, by the way, in Lithuanian and Latvian - from the Old Slavic verb “osechi”, that is, again still “cut”, “cut off”. Latin for "to cut"– seco, so perhaps the roots of the word are even more ancient.
The sweet shoots that Little Raccoon hunted so diligently contain up to 30% fiber (carbohydrates) and up to 18% protein, which makes the product quite nutritious and healthy (fiber, in particular, regulates blood sugar levels, removes cholesterol from the body and toxic substances, supports intestinal function, and protein is generally the main construction material for all living things). Alkaloids (harmine and brevicolline) are found in some types of sedge, which take part in controlling many processes in the body.
Medicinal properties
The herb is also very useful for the intestines, especially for constipation and bloating (flatulence).
The plant’s ability to normalize metabolic processes, cleanse the blood and remove bad cholesterol, as well as various harmful substances, from the body has been noted. 
Did you know? The Germans have long used decoctions from the rhizome of the plant for digestive problems, as well as diseases of the lungs and bronchi. Bulgarians treat consumption and anemia with the same remedy. Due to the herb's ability to improve metabolic processes, it was often used as a cure for gout, and the expectorant properties of sedge make it useful for relieving lingering dry coughs.
Before the invention of antibiotics, zemstvo doctors even treated syphilis with sedge. It has been noted that the root of sedge acts on the causative agent of the disease in the same way as the root of the exotic plant smilax (sarsaparilla), brought to Europe from Peru by the Spanish conquistadors. Thanks to coumarin and other active substances, the plant has beneficial influence
on the skin, and therefore is widely used for the treatment of dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, lichen, as well as such a systemic disease as lupus erythematosus.
We mentioned above that sedge is not used in official medicine, but this is not entirely true. There is only one species of this plant that is still recognized by pharmacologists. We are talking about sedge parva, in which chemists are interested in the alkaloid brevicolline, on its basis they prepare a drug used in gynecology for obstetrics.
Application
So, having found virtually no application in modern official medicine, sedge is widely used by traditional healers.
In folk medicine 
As always, herbal medicine is characterized by the fact that the same plant is used to treat ailments of very different nature. In particular,
Herbalists recommend a decoction, infusion or tea from sedge rhizomes for:
In cosmetology Sedge oil is a rather expensive product; in particular, it is imported into our country from Egypt and Morocco. It is also used to prepare face and body creams, as well as depilatory products. Such products are especially popular in Eastern countries.
This amazing product has a lot of extremely attractive qualities for the fair half of humanity (and not only!), in particular: - prevents hair loss and at the same time miraculously stops its growth in unwanted places;
- smoothes out small wrinkles;
- whitens the skin, removes age spots and makes freckles invisible. In addition, sedge oil is also used as a means for healing wounds and ulcers, as well as resolving tumors.
In the home medicine cabinet, decoctions and infusions of sedge are used for washing and rinsing hair. After using such products, the skin becomes young and smooth, and the hair becomes healthy and shiny.
Procurement of medicinal raw materials
As already mentioned, all the most valuable substances are found not in the leaves, but in the rhizome of sedge, therefore it is the underground part of the plant that is used as a medicinal raw material.
There are two possible preparation options - at the beginning of spring, before active sap flow begins in the plant, or, conversely, late autumn , when the ground part has completely withered.
In cosmetology To avoid causing irreparable harm to the population, it is possible to dig up sedge again in the same place no sooner than after two, or better yet, after three years.
The dug up roots must be carefully cleared of soil, then cut into strips about 10 cm long and dried. For drying, special dryers are used, but if they are not available, the prepared raw materials are simply laid out in one layer in a well-ventilated room (possibly in the open air). An indicator of readiness is the appearance of fragility in dry rhizomes. After this, the raw materials are laid out in paper bags.
In cosmetology If the root is not dried enough, it becomes affected by mold during storage. In this case, the raw materials, of course, become unfit for consumption and must be destroyed.
The leaves of the most valuable Parva sedge are also used. They are cut with sharp knives at the turn of spring and summer, dried in the open air with constant turning, then packed into bales and stored for 12 months. At the same time, properly prepared roots can be stored three times longer!
Traditional medicine recipes
The three main dosage forms in which the plant is used are tea, decoction and infusion.
For making tea two heaped teaspoons of chopped rhizomes should be poured with a glass of water room temperature, bring to a boil, cover and leave for 10 minutes. Then strain and drink 2-3 times a day.
As a long-term therapy, tea is used to restore metabolic processes and treat diseases and pathologies caused by such disorders (for example, gout, overweight). This tea is an excellent tonic for bronchitis, sore throats, and respiratory viral infections.
Sedge decoction prepared using slightly different technology. The same amount of raw material is not poured cold water, and with boiling water, simmer for 20 minutes over low heat, then the container is tightly wrapped and infused for several hours. The cooled broth is filtered. You need to take the product 20 minutes before meals, a quarter glass 2-3 times a day.
The indications for using the decoction are the same as for tea. In addition to being an expectorant and normalizing metabolism agent, the product is used for diseases of the stomach and intestines, as well as rhinitis, skin irritations, conjunctivitis, and even as a hair rinse to get rid of dandruff.
To prepare the infusion two full teaspoons of crushed roots are poured into a glass of boiled water cooled to room temperature and, without heating, left to infuse for 12 hours, after which it is filtered (or another option is to pour one teaspoon into 0.5 liters of water, but just boiled, leave a couple of hours and strain).
It is taken in the same way as a decoction, but the single dose can be increased to 100 ml. The second method of administration is in small doses, but often: two tablespoons every two hours. The indications are still the same: flatulence, constipation, skin problems, cough, etc.
Despite the absence of flowers, ornamental grasses, sedges and cereals are irreplaceable in the garden - they favorably highlight the splendor of flowering plants, give the site a decorative appearance and can serve as an excellent background addition for bright accents. For the most part, such crops do not require annual renewal, since they are perennial and successfully survive unfavorable conditions even in the harshest winters.
Plants with narrow grass-like leaves (sedges, grasses, lilies) belong to different families, but their external similarity allows, without going into botanical subtleties, to call them ornamental grasses.
On this page you can find photos, names and descriptions of sedges, grasses and other ornamental grasses for decorating the garden.
Types of perennial ornamental grasses and grasses in landscape design
Ophiopogon flat-arrowed (Ophiopogon planiscapus)- truly a royal plant. The ‘Nigrescens’ variety with black leaves amazes with its exotic appearance. If you place a decorative ball near the bush, this grass will resemble a porcupine with long games.
Pay attention to the photo - this perennial ornamental grass for the garden has leaves that retain color even in partial shade:
Ophiopogon blooms in August-September. The spectacle is magnificent - as if a lilac lily of the valley accidentally appeared among the black sedge. It is easy to propagate the plant: Having taken root, the “black grass” begins to grow with the help of underground stolons and, accordingly, form new hummocks.
Do not forget that ophiopogon comes from regions with a milder climate and in severe winters without snow it can freeze. Mulch and shelter from bark or fallen leaves will be very useful to him. Ophiopogon leaves should not be cut for the winter. This is an evergreen plant.
Another fashionable plant is Miscanthus. New varieties appear every year.
Pleases with special variety miscanthus chinensis (M. sinensis). This type of ornamental grass forms powerful multi-stemmed bushes from 40 cm to 2 m in height. The leaves are beautifully colored - they can be bluish-green, with transverse or longitudinal bright stripes. The flowering of miscanthus is very impressive. But in our climate, elegant fluffy panicles can only be seen on the ‘Early Hybrids’ variety. Other varieties do not have enough growing season for full flowering.
Miscanthus can grow in sun or partial shade; they love loose, nutritious soil. They need to be fed occasionally.
Thanks to magnificent photographs taken in foreign gardens, an Asian cereal with an unpronounceable name is coming into fashion. Hakonechloa major (Hakonechloa macra). Curtains with such decorative cereals and herbs in landscape design Thanks to the drooping leaves they look simply stunning. Yellow-leaved and variegated varieties are especially effective.
In the gardens middle zone Hakonechloe, which is called weeping grass in Japan because of its drooping leaves, lacks warmth: it does not produce lush tussocks. In harsh snowless winters, Hakonechloa freezes out. It can only be recommended for cultivation in the southern regions. Plant the plant in shady, damp places.
But raygrass (Arrhenatherum) tall bulbous subspecies ‘Variegatum’ (A. elatius ssp. bulbosum ‘Variegatum’) overwinters and grows well here. It forms delicate loose bushes with very bright contrasting foliage. Bulbs form in the stems, which fall onto the soil and give life to new plants. This ornamental grass is ideal for landscape design: raygrass is non-aggressive, indifferent to drought, and looks better in the sun, where it becomes brighter.
Nowadays, cereals with bluish foliage are very popular. The first among them is sheep evergreen (Elelictotrichon sempervirens). Forms charming knee-high bluish-blue bushes. Loves the sun (in full light it acquires a bright color), light soils and relative dryness.
His "little sister" - gray fescue (Festuca glauca). Fescue has needle-thin leaves. A neat tussock with brightly colored leaves is formed only when planted in a sunny place, in dry, well-drained soil. In frosty and wet winters the plant may die.
Soddy pike (Deschampsia caespitosa)- a simple, unpretentious plant. At first glance, nothing special. However, this ornamental grass works very well in a design among rocks on the edge of a pond. It forms neat, rounded bushes. IN Lately Varieties with different colored spikelets appeared.
Very popular blue molinia ‘Variegata’ (Molinia caerulea ‘Variegata’). Its bluish leaves with longitudinal white stripes are brighter in the sun. But even in the shade, molinia grows quite well and is pleasing to the eye. Loves moisture and coolness. Otherwise, no problems.
As you can see in the photo, these ornamental herbs and grasses for the garden can be planted next to roses, heucheras, geraniums, hostas, aquilegias and mantles:
All these plants will get along quite well together. In addition, reigrass - good plant for planting with spring bulbs.
Chinese miscanthuses winter well. You just need to remember that it is better not to cut them for the winter. In spring they wake up late, which makes the plant seem inanimate.
Types and varieties of decorative sedges in landscape design (with photos)
Decorative sedges (Sagekh) are remarkable for their plasticity. They adapt well to different conditions and feel comfortable in almost all gardens: They grow in the sun (just remember to water) and in the shade, both in dry and damp areas.
There are variegated and yellow-leaved forms of sedges.
Look at the photo - decorative sedges enliven shady corners and create a contrast with plants with dark leaves:
Plants with decorative leaves are considered less resilient than the original species. But bad experience can only befall the Ochimen sedge ‘Evergold’ (C. ochimensis ‘Evergold’), it did not survive the winter of 2002-2003. The remaining variegated forms, fortunately, are still alive today.
One of the tallest species - pendulous sedge (S. pendula). This is a powerful plant that reaches a height of 1.2 m. The main decoration of sedge is the long hanging “earrings” of inflorescences. These sedges last a very long time in landscape design. The plant is moisture-loving; its place is on the shore of the pond among other large plants - bergenia, buzulnik, hosta.
Sedge palmifolia (C. muskingumensis) not that big. Shoots up to a meter high form a densely packed bush. An excellent plant for damp places (can even grow in shallow water). The species has variegated forms and varieties. A dwarf variety, ‘Little Mildge’, has also been developed.
Evergreen species - sedge morrow (S. morrowii). She winters great. The plant comes out from under the snow not even crushed. The plant forms a neat hummock up to 50 cm in height and slightly larger in diameter. It is better to plant this sedge in partial shade so that the wintering leaves do not burn in the sun in the spring. The soil in the garden for decorative sedges should always be moist, but not wet. There are varigate varieties.
Winged sedge (S. elata) has not yet become widespread. The bright yellow variety ‘Aigea’ will attract attention. The plant forms loose bushes up to 30 cm in height. This type of sedge prefers wet places. Winters well. To preserve its bright color, the plant is planted in a bright place.
Mountain sedge (S. montana) forms dense, squat (up to 35 cm) hummocks. The leaves are thin. At the beginning of summer, the plant is decorated with black spikelets. From the name it is clear that dampness is contraindicated for this species. But she doesn’t like dry food either.
As shown in the photo, this type of sedge will decorate the shaded areas of the rock garden:
It is also good in borders next to other low plants. Looks great in an array. Winters well.
Unlike previous types rusty spotted sedge (S. siderosticha) gradually spreads out, forming a curtain. In May, the plant blooms - numerous spikelets with pink anthers appear. Variegated varieties are less aggressive. A very flexible plant that can grow in both sun and shade.
One of the smallest poultry sedge (S. ornithopoda). The bush is only 10 cm high, with beautiful long leaves that are arranged in curls around the hummock. The ‘Variegata’ variety is very nice. The plant is evergreen. The leaves do not suffer from frost, but in the spring they can get burned. This sedge does not tolerate dampness and drought.
Decorative varieties of sedges go well with heucheras and hostas, they are good “at the feet” of ferns, next to mountain weeds, bells, geraniums and mantles. Low-growing species can be planted in a rock garden.
Palm sedge has very brittle shoots: as soon as you touch it, the stems fall off. Try not to plant it along paths or in places where the plant can be damaged.
Recently, sedges with brown leaves have appeared on sale. The bushes look luxurious. Only holds brick sedge (S. testacea). But it was grown from seeds.