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Carex, Genus, appressa, Species,

Genus & species

southern cutty sedge

Cyperaceae

South-eastern Australia and New Zealand

Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Carex appressa is a large, tufted, evergreen sedge forming a dense tussock 24-48 inches (60-120 cm) tall and wide, with the flowering stems rising above the leaves. The leaves are long, narrow, and arching, 0.1-0.3 inch (3-8 mm) wide, deep green, with rough edges that can cut skin when drawn through the hand. The plant grows from a short rhizome into a tight clump. Flowering stems carry narrow, branched, brown to greenish spike-like heads 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long in spring, which ripen to brown seed. It grows in wet ground along creeks, swamps, drains, and damp pasture, tolerating periodic flooding and waterlogged soil. Roots are dense and fibrous, binding soil and stabilising banks. The tussock stays green year-round in mild climates and grows fast where water is plentiful. Older clumps build up dead leaf bases at the centre.

Native Range

Carex appressa is native to south-eastern Australia and New Zealand, occurring across all eastern states. It grows in wet habitats including creek banks, swamp margins, drainage lines, and damp pasture, on heavy, moist to waterlogged soils from the coast to the tablelands.

Suggested Uses

Carex appressa is grown along ponds, in rain gardens, on creek banks, and in wetland and revegetation plantings for soil binding and bank stabilisation, spaced 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) apart. It suits damp, boggy sites where many plants fail. The cutting leaf edges make it less suited to plantings beside busy paths.

How to Identify

Recognised by a large dense tussock 24-48 inches (60-120 cm) tall of arching deep-green leaves with rough, cutting edges, and tall stems carrying branched brown spike-like heads in spring. The flower heads are narrow and clustered rather than single. Distinguished from similar sedges by its size, the much-branched flower head, and its wetland habitat.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 4'

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Flowers: September–November

Spring

Brown to greenish spike-like flower heads appear in spring (September to November) on stems held above the foliage. Wind carries the pollen, and seed ripens brown over the following weeks. Flowering is heaviest where soil stays wet through spring.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-9 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5 (Acidic to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

clay loam silt

Drainagewet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Carex appressa grows in full sun to part shade in moist to wet soils and tolerates waterlogging, periodic flooding, and heavy clay. It also grows in ordinary garden soil if watered, though it stays smaller in dry ground. The plant grows fast with reliable water and forms a dense clump within one to two seasons. Old clumps can be cut back hard to refresh the foliage, and large tussocks are divided in spring. The leaf edges are sharp and can cut skin. Few pests affect it, though clumps thin out if the soil dries for long periods.

Pruning

Old foliage is cut back to about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in late winter to clear dead leaves and bring on fresh growth. The clump reshoots quickly after cutting. Large tussocks are lifted and divided in spring to renew them.