Uncinia uncinata rubra
Red sedge, Kamu
Also known as Uncinia uncinata 'Rubra'
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This makes an informal tussock of smooth, quite slender leaves. They are coloured a warm tangy coppery shade of brown. There are small flowers that don't extend much beyond the foliage clump and are in shades of yellowish brown. It is not very hardy and may not over winter outside except in the warmer parts of the country. Highly desirable when seen because of the warmth and density of its colour. Give this moisture and neutral to acid soil. It needs protection from winds that can ravage the foliage. It doesn't like to be too wet in winter either. It can be a good subject in a container.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Brown
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- 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 - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.
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.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.