Carex conica
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks KON-ih-ka
- Description
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Birdfoot sedge is an herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) native to Korea and Japan. The species epithet is Latin for “conical” and refers to the shape of the utricle, the structure that encloses the ovary and, later, the achene.
Plant in full sun to partial shade in rich, amended, moist, well-draining soil. This tufted evergreen has deep, rich glossy green foliage with white edges and grows slowly to a height of 18 inches and a clumping width of 2 feet. The flowers are insignificant; this plant is grown for its interesting, showy leaves. If the leaf tips of this evergreen turn brown, they may be trimmed back. If the clumps get too large, divide in the early spring. For the best results, be sure there is a generous amount of plant material in each division.
This easy-to-grow sedge can be mass planted and used as a groundcover or the front of a border or as an edging plant along a walkway. Plant in a container, mass plant along a slope or use in a rock garden. This sedge is a larval host plant to butterflies, so it is a welcome addition to a pollinator garden, and it is moderately resistant to browsing by deer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Snowline' (aka 'Hime Kan Suge’ or 'Marginata')
Green leaves with white margins
- 'Snowline' (aka 'Hime Kan Suge’ or 'Marginata')
- 'Snowline' (aka 'Hime Kan Suge’ or 'Marginata')
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Snowline' (aka 'Hime Kan Suge’ or 'Marginata')
Green leaves with white margins
- 'Snowline' (aka 'Hime Kan Suge’ or 'Marginata')
- 'Snowline' (aka 'Hime Kan Suge’ or 'Marginata')
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- conica
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Korea and Japan
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Insignificant very small flowers appear late spring to early summer, this plant is grown for its leaves.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Showy narrow, long, arching. green leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- Triangular stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Rock Wall
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Wet Soil
