Carex

The genus Karex, or Sedge (Carex), consists of 2000 species-perennial grasses that form turfs or hummocks. Among the sedges there are marsh and pasture, ornamental and medicinal plants. Flowers are unisexual without a perianth, completely undecorated, in spikelet. The linear leaves are protected by sheaths. White sedge (Carex alba) - growing up to 30 cm in height, it is characterized by light green leaves. It grows and creates grassy carpets on wet swampy areas of land. Firma sedge (S. firma) does not exceed 20 cm in height; leaves are intensely green in color. They are grown in rock gardens. Sedge buchananii is a plant 30-40 cm tall. The pointed leaves are greenish-red on the underside and cream on the upper side. High sedge (S. elata) 60-80 cm high, with light green leaves. In the variety 'Golden' - yellow-edged. The Morrow sedge (C. morrowii) grows to 20-30 cm; the leaves are very thin. Likes wet areas. The 'Variegated' leaves are covered with white stripes. The pseudocyperus sedge (C. pseudocyperus) reaches 0.5-1 m in height. The leaves are bright green, the flowers are gathered in chestnut spikelet.

The genus Karex, or Sedge (Carex), consists of 2000 species-perennial grasses that form turfs or hummocks. Among the sedges there are marsh and pasture, ornamental and medicinal plants. Flowers are unisexual without a perianth, completely undecorated, in spikelet. The linear leaves are protected by sheaths.

White sedge (Carex alba) - growing up to 30 cm in height, it is characterized by light green leaves. It grows and creates grassy carpets on wet swampy areas of land.

Firma sedge (S. firma) does not exceed 20 cm in height; leaves are intensely green in color. They are grown in rock gardens.

Sedge buchananii is a plant 30-40 cm tall. The pointed leaves are greenish-red on the underside and cream on the upper side.

High sedge (S. elata) 60-80 cm high, with light green leaves. In the variety 'Golden' - yellow-edged.

The Morrow sedge (C. morrowii) grows to 20-30 cm; the leaves are very thin. Likes wet areas. The 'Variegated' leaves are covered with white stripes.

The pseudocyperus sedge (C. pseudocyperus) reaches 0.5-1 m in height. The leaves are bright green, the flowers are gathered in chestnut spikelet.

Cultivation

Species of the genus Karex are grown in flower beds and rock gardens. Most of them can be used in border plantings, as well as along the banks of reservoirs. Some species (white sedge, Morrow sedge) prefer very wet ground. Such species as pseudocyperus sedge and Firm sedge are drought-resistant, they are used for fixing sand, they are grown in rock gardens and in the highlands. All species can be successfully grown in soil with a pH of 4.5-5.0 in a shaded area. If the ground is not acidic, the plant slows down or stops growing. During planting, peat, green foliage, and pine needles are added to the soil and other materials. Low species are planted, maintaining a distance between plants of 15 cm, for higher ones, a distance of 30-40 cm is observed. Sedges are usually very resistant to diseases.

Location

Sedge is one of the few genera whose representatives require a shady location.

Temperature

These plants are resistant to both high air temperatures and significantly reduced ones, with the exception of the Morrow 'Variegated' sedge variety, which requires shelter in winter.

Watering

Some species (sedge Firm) get along in a very dry environment. Others (white sedge) are ideal for wetlands.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, many species-mainly by rhizome. The plant is removed from the ground, divided and the resulting parts are immediately planted in the ground.

Acquisition

Plants of the genus Karex are purchased in horticultural centers and specialized nurseries. They are bought in the spring, when you can immediately plant them in a permanent place. As a decorative one, it is better to buy Morrow sedge of the 'Variegated' variety.