Carex plantaginea
Plantain leaf sedge, Broad leafed sedge, Evergreen broadleaf sedge
- Height × spread
- 0.2m × 0.6m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This plant has broad rather strappy leaves with noticeable veining along their length. This doesn't make a clump, but a colony. It is an attractive, strong-looking groundcover that can serve as a foil to the dissected foliage of ferns, or as a contrast to the fat leaves of hostas. Give it a moist partly shaded site since it is by its nature a woodland plant. It stands around 20cm (8in) high with a broader spread.
- Flower colour
- Black
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.2m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Remove dead leaves
When leaves die they can carefully be detached or cut off at their base to improve the overall appearance of the plant. Be careful not to damage the main stems during this process.
Summer
Summer · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Offsets may be used to replace an aged parent plant, to extend or establish a colony, or can be given away or sold.
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