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Ornamental Grasses

off-season pruning of ornamental sedges

15 years ago

I've become a big fan in recent years of a number of the grass-like ornamental sedges, but I don't yet have a lot of experience managing them in the landscape. One of the things I like about them is that they look good--and look pretty much the same--essentially year-round. After a couple of years, though, some of them have started looking a bit tattered, even with our recent mild global-warming winters here in the mid-South, and it appears that they would really benefit from some rejuvenation. I'm tempted to hack them way back to the ground at some point to let them flush with fresh new growth, but I don't know if that's wise, and if so, what time of year would be best. The plants I'm dealing with in particular are the Orange New Zealand Sedge (Carex testacea), the Evergold Sedge (Carex oshimensis), and the Sparkler Sedge (Carex phyllocephela). If anyone has specific experience with trimming these plants, especially in this part of the country, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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Comments (3)

donn_
15 years ago
Unfortunately, while a lot of Carex varieties are making it into our marketplace, there still isn't much care and maintenance information available.

I play it by ear with mine. If I can make the plant look better with a raking and just trimming out winter-damaged leaves, I just do that. If the plant suffered the winter, I cut it back, when I first notice new growth. I trim it to just over the height of the new growth.

Larger varieties, like C. muskingumensis, get trimmed back every year, and respond just fine. I use the same practice as above...trim to just above new growth. Mature clumps of C. grayii get the same treatment.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
15 years ago
Although I don't recommend it as an annual practice, the evergreen species of Carex do benefit from a haircut from time to time. As Donn notes, I'd wait until you see some indication of active new growth.....March/April in your area? And I'd not cut back too severely - leave a couple/ three inches intact.
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teri2
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Usually dependable Sunlight Gardens recommends cutting them back yearly but I was pretty sure I had heard otherwise so I came here to check things out. Glad to see my plans to just comb my second year plants should work out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sunlight Gardens

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