Skip to main content
Carex scaposa (Pink-Flowered Sedge)
1 / 5
© MP Zhou, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Grasses

Carex scaposa

Pink-Flowered Sedge

Cyperaceae
China and Vietnam — subtropical forests

At a Glance

TypeSedge
HabitClumping
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-14 inches (20-35 cm)
Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer ResistantContainer Friendly
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Carex scaposa is the pink-flowered sedge in the Cyperaceae family — the only sedge in cultivation with truly pink flowers, growing 8-14 inches (20-35 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Pink to rose-pink spikelets on stems rising above dark green wide arching evergreen foliage in May and June — a botanical rarity that completely defies the expectation of brown or green sedge flowers. The pink color does not occur in any other commonly cultivated Carex species (the genus has over 2,000 species worldwide, and only this one produces pink flowers in cultivation). Native to subtropical forests of China and Vietnam. The wide dark green evergreen leaves are ornamental year-round — reminiscent of C. plantaginea but from a completely different origin. Hardy to zone 6 with protection — most reliable in zones 7-9. Moist, humus-rich, acidic shade. The exotic origin and limited cold hardiness restrict this to mild climates or container culture in colder zones. A collector's plant and a conversation starter. Deer avoid sedge foliage.

Native Range

Carex scaposa is native to China and Vietnam — subtropical forests.

Suggested Uses

Used in shade borders (mild climates), containers of 3 gallons (11 liters), and collector's gardens. The only pink-flowered sedge — a botanical rarity and conversation piece. The showiest sedge flower of any species.

How to Identify

Identified by pink to rose-pink spikelets — the ONLY pink-flowered sedge in commerce — above dark green wide arching evergreen foliage. The pink flower color is the sole identifier among 2,000+ Carex species. No other sedge in cultivation has pink flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'2"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink
rose

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SpringSummer
Pink spikelets in May and June, approximately 4 weeks. The only pink-flowered sedge in cultivation.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink to rose-pink, in showy spikelets — the only pink-flowered sedge

Foliage Description

Dark green, wide, arching, evergreen

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial ShadeFull Shade
Requires 2-5 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 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loam
Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial to full shade. Moist, humus-rich, acidic soil. Hardy to zone 6 with protection — zones 7-9 are the strongest range. Container culture in cold zones.

Pruning

Tattered leaves are cleaned up in early spring.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic