It would help if you told us what varieties of Carex you are growing. Some do well in full sun, but many prefer less. Some do well in dry soil, but many prefer more moisture.

Most Carex can be cut back and will spring back with new growth. Others only need to have dead foliage raked out, and are semi-evergreen in appropriate conditions.

I water Carex with a single drip emitter right at the crown of each plant. I don't fertilize them at all, but they are in fairly fertile soil to begin with.

thx Donn - I'm pretty sure that what I have is Carex pansa. It's not "clumpy" at all and spreads to fill any open space, so it has filled in all of the gaps between the tiny plants that I planted.

I feel like when I water it in the summer that the water may not be making it to the ground, but might be just getting the grass wet. Just doesn't seem too efficient.

I don't think this stuff is rakeable because it's so long. I may just try and clip it with a big pair of clippers and pull out what I can that looks dead.

thx,
rob

Hi Rob,

You have a very popular Field Sedge or Meadow Sedge. It's proper Latin name is Carex praegracilis, and it's proper common name is California Field Sedge. Here's what San Marcos Growers (one of the best out there) has to say:

"Carex praegracilis (California Field Sedge) - A short, rich green sedge selected by John Greenlee as an alternative to turf grass. Growing to 6-8 inches tall and spreading by rhizomes to form a carpet that tolerates moderate foot traffic. A good plant as a solid ground cover, between and around stepping stones or mixed with other bulbs, perennials and grasses to create a natural meadow look. It tolerates full sun to partial shade but has a period of summer dormancy in warmer, drier climates. Moderate water requirements make this plant not quite drought tolerant but certainly lower than most lawn grasses. It is hardy to at least 10 F and likely to come back from the underground rhizomes after lower temperatures. We received this sedge from John Greenlee as Carex pansa but later was keyed to the very closely related Carex praegracilis. We listed it as Carex praegracilis with the common name of California Field Sedge in our 2001 and 2002 catalogs but unfortunately the plant had become popularized in the California horticultural trade under the name Carex pansa and we reluctantly began listing this plant as such. In an article in the summer 2006 issue of Pacific Horticulture titled "A Sedge By Another Name" the authors urge growers to correctly identify this sedge as Carex praegracilis and to use the common name Clustered Field Sedge instead of Meadow Sedge, which may be confused with an eastern U.S. species. We have decided to return to listing it as Carex praegracilis - California Field Sedge with the designation [C. pansa, Hort.] to indicate that is has been previously listed incorrectly by this name."

You can mow this Carex with a lawnmower, and it will respond with a flush of fresh growth, but it does have the summer dormancy mentioned by San Marcos.

The best way to water it is the same way you would water a normal turfgrass lawn. Long deep periods of sprinkling, every few weeks during your dry season.

thx for the information! I really appreciate it.