Berkeley sedge

Sun

Partial shade; tolerates full shade and full sun where the soil does not become excessively hot and dry.

Water

Moderate while establishing; tolerates some summer drought once rooted, especially in partial shade. Occasional deep watering keeps the foliage greener in dry weather.

Soil

Adaptable to clay, loam and sandy soil, provided drainage is reasonable. Avoid persistently waterlogged ground.

Height

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m), with flowering stems sometimes taller

Spread

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m) per clump; seedlings can extend the planting

Flowers

Small greenish flower clusters turn brown in late spring and early summer, spaced along slender upright stems.

Foliage

Narrow, arching, medium-green leaves form loose, fountain-shaped clumps. Evergreen in mild climates, but foliage may brown or die back during cold winters.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.1 ft (0.35 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.3 ft (0.39 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.4 ft (0.43 m)

4. After 3 years

   1.5 ft (0.45 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the UK

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water deeply during the first growing season, allowing the surface soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Give established plants occasional deep watering during prolonged dry weather if the leaves begin to brown.
• Apply a thin layer of compost in spring; routine fertilizer is usually unnecessary.
• Keep mulch away from the crown to reduce the risk of rot.
• Divide crowded clumps in spring, watering the divisions until established.
• Remove flowering stems before seed ripens where unwanted seedlings are a concern.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, comb out dead leaves and trim damaged tips before fresh growth begins. If a clump is badly winter-browned, cut it back to about 3-4 in (8-10 cm), avoiding any new shoots.

Late winter

Remove dead foliage and cut back badly browned clumps before new growth starts.

Spring

Plant or divide clumps, water thoroughly and top-dress lightly with compost.

Late spring

Watch for emerging flower stems and decide whether to retain them or remove them to limit seeding.

Summer

Water deeply during extended dry spells and pull unwanted seedlings while small.

Early autumn

Plant new clumps in mild climates while the soil is warm, keeping them watered until rooted.

• Mass beneath deciduous trees for a soft green ground layer that tolerates root competition once established.
• Edge shaded paths with arching clumps to soften paving without creating a rigid border.
• Combine with broad-leaved shade perennials to contrast fine and bold foliage textures.
• Use as an informal lawn alternative in lightly used areas, with stepping stones for regular foot traffic.

Garden styles it suits: Woodland, Low-maintenance, Green on green, Pacific Northwest woodland and Contemporary minimal.

Plant it with: Hellebores, Epimediums, Japanese painted ferns, Hostas, Coral bells and Hardy geraniums.

Wildlife: Dense clumps shelter small invertebrates. Like other sedges, it is wind-pollinated rather than a significant nectar source for bees.

• Unwanted seedlings: remove flower stems before seeds mature and pull seedlings promptly, especially beside natural areas.
• Brown leaf tips during drought or hot sun: water deeply and provide afternoon shade in hot climates.
• Crown rot in persistently wet soil: improve drainage, keep mulch off the crown and replace badly rotted plants.
• Winter-browned foliage: leave it through severe weather, then remove damaged growth in late winter or early spring.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. Species-specific poisoning information is limited; it is an ornamental plant, not a food or a substitute for suitable grazing.

Where it spreads. Can self-seed aggressively in coastal California, including Bay Area gardens, and escape cultivation. It is not a California native; avoid planting beside natural habitats where seedlings could spread.

• Foothill sedge (Carex tumulicola)

  This western North American native has been sold under the same common name. Carex divulsa generally has a longer, more interrupted flower head, with the lower clusters noticeably separated;

The botanical epithet divulsa means pulled apart or separated, referring to the spaced flower clusters.

Propagation. Divide established clumps in spring, retaining roots and several shoots on each division. It also grows from seed and may produce self-sown seedlings.

Accepted botanical name

Carex divulsa

In the US and Canada

Introduced in Canada and the lower 48 states.

Native range

Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Corse, Czechoslovakia and East Aegean Is..

Measured

Soil pH 6.5 to 7. Average height 58 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.