Tufted Sedge, Golden Variegated Sedge, Tufted Sedge
Carex elata

Family: Cyperaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Brown, Green. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.

Carex elata is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1.5 m (5ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

By fen ditches and in wet places by rivers and lakes in base-rich soils.

Most of Europe, including Britain, south to Algeria and east to the Caucasus.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Root - cooked. Seed. No further details are given, but the seed is small and fiddly to use.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

The leaves are used for bedding. Plants form impenetrably dense clumps and when planted close together in drifts make an excellent ground cover.

Bedding: Used as a lining for sleeping on or putting fruits etc on.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Landscape Uses: Border, Foundation, Ground cover, Massing, Specimen. Easily grown in a damp to wet soil in full sun or shade. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Wetlands plant, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - sow in situ in the spring in a moist soil in light shade. If seed is in short supply it can be sown in a cold frame and be planted out in the summer. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 6 weeks at 15°c. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Best place to grow: Ground Cover; Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. stricta. Good.