Soft-leaved sedge

Soft-leaved sedge: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Low, dense clump 20–30 cm tall and 30 cm wide, slowly spreading and forming soft carpets.

Leaves

Narrow and soft, 1–3 mm wide, light green; orange-brown in autumn. The base has red-brown leaf sheaths.

Flower

Dark brown-purple male spike on top and low female spikes close to the ground, in April–May.

Fruit

Small, hairy fruits dispersed by ants.

Roots

Short, creeping rhizomes that make the clump spread slowly.

Flowering: April–May · Plants: March–May and September–October · Pruning: March

Why grow it?

• A native plant that suits a naturalistic garden and native planting.
• Soft, low tufts with fresh green foliage and good autumn colour.
• Drought tolerant and grows where few other plants will: under trees and in poor soil.
• Flowers as early as April–May, early in the season.
• Low maintenance: one short cut in spring is enough.

Soft-leaved sedge: where does it grow best?

• Sun to half shade; it also grows under light tree canopies.
• Dry to normal, well-drained soil: sand or loam, acid to chalky.
• Tolerates drought well but not wet winters on heavy clay.
• Allow 25–30 cm between plants for quick cover, or 30–40 cm for a looser effect.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Sand or loam

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

0.25 m tall, 0.3 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -30 °C)

Goes well with

• Bluebell: A native bulb that flowers in spring in the same shade.
• Hardy cyclamen: Flowers in autumn in dry shade.
• Barrenwort: A low ground cover for dry shade with dainty flowers.
• Solomon’s seal: Elegant, arching stems with hanging flowers in spring.

Soft-leaved sedge: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–May and September–October.

1. Plant in March–May or in September–October, when the soil is not frozen.
2. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Mix a little compost or leaf mould into poor soil.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in its pot and firm the soil gently.
4. Plant 25–30 cm apart, in groups of 5–7 for a quick effect.
5. Water thoroughly straight away and keep the soil moist in the first season.
6. Leave fallen leaves as a natural mulch and keep the weeds down in the first years.

Care

Water

Regularly in dry spells in the first season; rarely needed after that.

Feeding

Not needed; on poor soil the clump stays dense and compact.

Mulching

Leave fallen autumn leaves in place, that is enough.

Weeding

Keep the clumps free of grass and weeds for the first two years.

Dividing

After 4–5 years you can divide dense clumps in spring to rejuvenate them or to make more.

Tip: Plant it in groups under trees on drier soil and simply leave the fallen leaves in place: it then forms its own natural carpet.

Soft-leaved sedge: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March.

When: From late February to March, before the new shoots start to grow.

How:

• Cut the old brown foliage back to about 5 cm above the ground.
• On larger areas you can mow with the mower on its highest setting.
• Pull dead leaves out of the clump with your fingers.
• Cut off spent flower spikes if you want to limit seedlings.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In March–April or in September lift the clump and divide it into rooted pieces; replant straight away and water.

Seed

Germination is slow; sow fresh in autumn on moist seed compost and leave outdoors over winter. Seedlings dispersed by ants can be moved.

Soft-leaved sedge: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −30 °C.

• Fully hardy, to about −30 °C: no protection needed.
• The foliage turns orange-brown in autumn and brown in winter; leave it in place to protect the plant until spring.
• In a pot: place the pot against a wall and make sure the compost does not freeze completely.

Diseases and pests

• Bare patches: In too much shade or in severe drought. Give more light or water, plant closer together or fill in with young plants.
• Competition from weeds: Young plants are overrun by grass. Weed around the clumps in the first years.
• Rot in wet soil: Clumps die on heavy, wet clay. Improve drainage with coarse sand or plant on a mound.
• Slugs: Sometimes nibble young shoots in spring. Collect them or lay a barrier of sharp sand.

Through the year

• March: Cut back or mow old foliage. Plant. Divide.
• April: Flowering begins. Plant.
• May: Flowering. Plant. Weed.
• June: Seed forms. Water in dry spells in the first year.
• September: Plant or divide.
• October: Plant. Orange-brown autumn colour.
• November: Leave the foliage in place.
• December: Rest.

Did you know?

• The seeds have a fat-rich appendage that attracts ants, which then spread the plant.
• The species name montana means ‘of the mountains’, but the plant also occurs in lowland areas.
• Sedges are wind-pollinated, which is why their flowers have no showy petals.