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Fox Sedge

Fox Sedge

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

An often evergreen variety, producing narrow, shiny, light green foliage; short green flower spikes transition to dark brown, bristly seed clusters resembling fox tails; this mounded sedge is perfect for wetlands or gardens that have moist to wet soil

Ornamental Features

Fox Sedge is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. The dark brown seed heads are carried on showy spikes displayed in abundance from late summer to early winter. Its attractive glossy grassy leaves remain light green in color throughout the year. It features dainty spikes of green hop-like flowers with chartreuse overtones rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer.

Landscape Attributes

Fox Sedge is an herbaceous evergreen perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Fox Sedge is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting
• Bog Gardens

Planting & Growing

Fox Sedge will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by division.

Fox Sedge is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.