The New Zealand sedge can be cultivated both in the garden and in the tub. With the right care, it can act as an eye-catcher all year round.
The New Zealand sedge enriches the garden at any time of the year. In addition, it is an easy-care plant that also thrives in pots on balconies and terraces. What needs to be considered when caring for the sour grass plant can be read below.
Water the New Zealand sedge correctly
The New Zealand sedge (Carex comans) prefers a sunny spot. The plants should always have sufficient moisture available. This means that watering must not be neglected.
» Tip: If the sedge is in the shade, it only needs to be watered during longer dry periods.
If the New Zealand sedge suffers from a lack of water, it will indicate this by turning brown its leaves. The foliage remains well into winter, making the plants popular for greening planters and window boxes. On frost-free days, the sedges should also be watered in the cold season.
Potted plants need to be watered regularly because they cannot absorb enough moisture from the soil.
» Tip: Water the New Zealand sedge with lime-free water, preferably with rainwater.
Fertilize New Zealand sedge properly
The nutrient requirement of the New Zealand sedge can be classified as rather low. Fertilization is therefore not absolutely necessary. To support the growth in spring, some compost can be mixed into the substrate. If the fallen leaves remain on the ground in autumn, they protect plants and valuable humus is formed from them. This means that the New Zealand sedge can be supplied with sufficient natural fertilizer throughout the year.
» Tip: For potted plants, conventional liquid fertilizers or fertilizer sticks should be avoided during the growing season. I always use this compo green plant fertilizer.
Preferably fertilize in spring and early summer. Over-fertilization is allowedavoid. This makes the plants susceptible to diseases and pests.
Sedge species briefly introduced
The wintergreen ornamental grasses are extremely species-rich. About 2,000 species are represented in the genus Carex. You can literally add color to your garden. In addition to various shades of green, green-white, reddish-brown or, as in the case of the New Zealand sedge, bronze-colored colorings also occur.
» Tip: The special coloring of the New Zealand sedge is probably a protection of the plant from intense sunlight.
Popular varieties for contrasts in the bed
| Type | Growth | Special Features | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-green sedge (Carex flacca) | 20 to 50 cm | • blue-green colored leaves | • Europe • North Africa • North America |
| Hairy sedge (Carex hirta) | 50 to 60 cm | • triangular shoots • reddish leaf sheaths • green to grey-green leaves | • Europe • North Africa • Asia Minor |
| Yellow Sedge (Carex flava) | 20 to 70 cm | • smooth straw-colored to light brown stems | • Europe • Canada • North America |
| Buxbaum sedge (Carex buxbaumii) | 20 to 70 cm | • long stolons • stiff stems • grey-green leaves with curled edges • black-red leaf sheaths | • Europe • North America • Greenland • Siberia |
| Pil Sedge (Carex pilulifera) | up to 50 cm | • dense clumps • double-folded leaves • red-brown leaf sheaths | • Europe • Macaronesian Islands |
An overview of clumping varieties
A number of sedges tend to grow in clumps. For the hobby gardener, this means dividing the plants more frequently and thus keeping the joy of growth in check. Pruning back in spring is also a good idea for these varieties.
These species prefer a shady place:
• Giant sedge (Carex pendula)
• Bird's foot sedge (Carex ornithopoda)
• Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii)
• Mushroom sedge (Carex caryophyllea 'The Beatles')
Colorful foliage catches the eye:
• Gold-rimmed Japan Sedge (Carex morrowii 'Aureovariegata')
• White Variegated Bird's-foot Sedge (>Carex ornithopoda 'Variegata')
• Stiff Gold Sedge (Carex elata 'Bowles Golden')
• White-edged Japanese sedge (Carex morrowii 'Variegata')
The best-known clump-forming varieties:
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Pruning New Zealand sedge
Pruning sedges is generally not absolutely necessary. The advantage here is that the old stalks and leaves simply die and rot. However, from time to time it may be necessary to prune the New Zealand sedge. The reasons for this can be found in lush growth, frost damage or the consequences of diseases that need to be eliminated.
Pruning is well tolerated and can be done up to about three to five centimeters above the ground. The pruning should be carried out in early spring, before they sprout.
» Attention: The stalks are sharp-edged. Wear gardening gloves when pulling back.
The sedge does not have to be cut back completely. You can also bring the plant into shape at any time by simply removing individual shoots. The pruning can be carried out all year round - the only condition: freedom from frost.
Propagate New Zealand sedge
Propagation of the rhizomatous sedges can be done by division. Plants can be divided in spring or autumn.
Reproduction by division - step by step
- Cut off the root ball
- Lift the root ball out of the ground
- Dissect the root ball into sections
- Replant sections
When dividing the root ball, the plant must first be lifted completely out of the ground. You should be careful when doing this so as not to injure the delicate root runners. The root ball can now be divided with a sharp spade or knife or, depending on the size, divided into several sections.
» Tip: A maximum of three sections can be obtained from a root ball. These should be at least the size of a fist.
Each section should have sufficient roots and at least one bud. The sections should be put back into the ground immediately. The new planting holes must therefore already be prepared. The plants must then be watered sufficiently.
Sedges can also be grown from seed. The seeds are grown indoors in plant pots over the winter and planted outdoors in spring.
Diseases and Pests
The New Zealand sedge is robust and hardy. There andagain it can happen that the leaves are attacked by rust. This can be recognized by the orange nodules and spots that appear on the underside of the leaves. Damp weather favors the development of rust diseases.
Remove all affected plant parts immediately. The waste does not belong in the compost, but should be disposed of with household waste or incinerated. Also carefully collect and dispose of fallen leaves.
Rust can be combated biologically with a garlic infusion. The plants should be treated several times a week with the solution consisting of 150 grams of chopped garlic and five liters of water.
If the New Zealand sedge is infested with aphids, a hard jet of water can drive the pests away. The stems are preferably affected.
» Caution: Over-fertilization can encourage aphid infestation, as the plant generally becomes more susceptible to diseases and pests.
Wintering the New Zealand sedge
Most sedges are very hardy. Winter protection is necessary for the bronze-colored sedges. Protect the New Zealand sedge from the onset of frost with brushwood. Also during the winter half-year it is important to ensure that the plants do not dry out. Watering is done more frequently on frost-free days. Potted plants in particular need to be watered in winter as well.