Carex hirta
hairy sedge
Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa
Overview
Carex hirta is a rhizomatous perennial sedge that forms loose patches through creeping underground stems. Plants reach 15-70 cm (6-28 in) tall, with three-angled flowering stems rising above the foliage. The leaves are flat, 2-6 mm (0.08-0.24 in) wide, grey-green, and covered with soft hairs on both surfaces and along the sheaths, a trait that separates it from most hairless sedges. Flowering stems carry separate male and female spikes: two to three narrow male spikes at the top and two to four cylindrical female spikes lower down, each 1.5-3 cm (0.6-1.2 in) long and spaced apart on the stem. The female flowers develop into hairy, beaked fruit sacs (utricles) 5-7 mm (0.2-0.28 in) long. The rhizomes spread laterally, so colonies expand over time and persist on compacted or periodically waterlogged soil. The plant tolerates mowing and trampling, which lets it hold ground on path edges and grazed pasture, though the spreading rhizomes make it hard to contain in small beds. It dies back to ground level over winter and resprouts from the rhizome in spring.
Native Range
Carex hirta is native to Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa, where it grows in damp grassland, ditch margins, dune slacks, and disturbed ground. It has become naturalized in parts of North America and New Zealand.Suggested Uses
Used in rain gardens, pond and ditch margins, and damp wildflower meadows where its spread stabilizes soil. It binds the banks of swales and tolerates foot traffic on path edges. The spreading rhizomes make it unsuited to small mixed borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 2'4"
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
green to straw-brownFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Carex hirta grows in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, including heavy clay and ground that floods periodically. It grows in moist to wet conditions but withstands summer drying once established. Soil pH from about 5.5 to 7.5 suits it. The rhizomes spread steadily, so plants spread unless contained by a barrier or grown where lateral spread is acceptable. No routine feeding is needed, and growth is vigorous on fertile damp soils. Foliage dies back in winter and regrows from the rhizome in spring.Pruning
Old foliage is cut to ground level in late winter before new growth emerges. Plants can be divided in spring to limit spread or for propagation. Mowing is tolerated and keeps colonies low in grassed areas.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons