Birdfoot Sedge Carex conica 'Snow Line'
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Carex conica ‘Hime kan suge’
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks KON-ih-ka
- Description
-
Birdfoot sedge is a perennial in the Cyperaceae (sedge) family native to Korea and Japan. The name Carex is Latin for "cutter" in reference to the sharp triangular stem edges found on most members of this genus.
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 to transplant.
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:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- conica
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Korea and Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports various Satyr larvae.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
-
-
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
-
-
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.
-
-
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:
- Other/more complex
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Showy narrow, long, arching. green leaves lined with snowy white border.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- Triangular stems
-
-
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
