Carex scaposa
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Carex pandanophylla
- Carex scaposa var. marantacea
- Description
-
Chinese Pink Fairy Sedge is an evergreen sedge in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) native to Asia. It can be found along woodland slopes and along streams to 5,000 feet elevation.
It grows 1 to 1.5 feet tall, spreads 18 to 30 inches and forms clumps by woody rhizomes. It grows in partial shade to bright shade conditions in well-drained, moist, humus-rich soil. Keep soil moist but not wet and do not prune the flower spike, as it may produce again. It grows fairly slowly and may take a couple of years to mature and bloom.
Chinese pink fairy sedge has arching, strap-shaped leaves that are wider than most sedges. In summer and often again in the fall, fluffy pink flowers on spikes are held above the foliage. It is one of the few sedges grown for the flowers.
Use Chinese pink fairy sedge along a stream or pond or in the border of a shady to partly shady pollinator or winter garden. It will also do well in a container. See some native alternatives to the left.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential insects include spider mites, aphids and thrips. Potential diseases include Rhizoctonia, rust, leaf spot and powdery mildew.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. dolichostachya
Native to SE China in the sub-tropical biome - var. hirsuta
Grows in SE China in sub-tropical biome - var. scaposa
Native to China and Taiwan in the temperate biome
- var. dolichostachya
- var. dolichostachya, var. hirsuta, var. scaposa
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. dolichostachya
Native to SE China in the sub-tropical biome - var. hirsuta
Grows in SE China in sub-tropical biome - var. scaposa
Native to China and Taiwan in the temperate biome
- var. dolichostachya
- var. dolichostachya, var. hirsuta, var. scaposa
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- scaposa.
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- southern China and Vietnam
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract bees
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- 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:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Three-sided achene with nutlets.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Description:
- Pink fluffy starburst-like flowers appear on spikes above the foliage in summer and often again in fall.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Arching green elliptic to elliptic-linear leaves are 4 to 14 inches long and 3/4 to 2 inches wide with pointed tips. They are both basal and alternate on the stem.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Culms are triangular and have pale brown sheathes at the base.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
