Photo: Kristian Peters -- Fabelfroh 08:36, 20 May 2007 (UTC), CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Ornamental grass
Spring sedge: when and how to prune
Carex caryophyllea
Spring sedge is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | April–May |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Spring sedge: when to prune it?
Hardly any pruning is needed, as it is evergreen. In March, comb out the dead leaves.
What else to prune in those months? March
Spring sedge: how to prune it?
- Comb dead and brown leaves out of the clump with gloved fingers or a small rake.
- At most, trim off brown tips; do not cut the green leaves short.
- You can simply leave the spent flower spikes; they are barely noticeable.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not cut the clump back hard like an ornamental grass: an evergreen sedge recovers from that only slowly.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Spring sedge · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.