1 named cultivar

‘Hime’Hime sedge

grass

sedge

The Story

Plant Bio

Carex conica, birdfoot sedge, is a slow clumping evergreen sedge from southern Korea and Japan, fifteen to eighteen inches high and spreading one to two feet. Narrow arching dark green leaves rise from triangular stems in a dense tuft, and small brown flower spikes appear in late spring and are of little ornamental note.

It is a sedge rather than a grass, and the difference matters in practice: sedges want moisture and shade where most ornamental grasses want sun and drainage. This one holds its foliage year round and grows slowly enough never to need dividing for control, which makes it one of the better choices for a small shaded space or a container.

Uses & Benefits:

A neat evergreen tuft of fine arching foliage, at its best in the white-edged forms.

Slow and compact enough for containers and small shaded corners without ever needing control.

Butterflies and pollinators visit, and the evergreen tuft shelters insects over winter.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

16 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Southern Korea and Japan

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in partial to deep shade.
Give it moist, freely draining soil.
Space plants a foot apart for a low band.
Water through dry spells; it dislikes drought.
Comb out dead leaves rather than cutting it back.
Divide only when a clump becomes congested.

Pro Tip

Comb the dead foliage out with your fingers rather than shearing — evergreen sedges look wrecked for months after a hard cut.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in shade and moist soil 🌑
Comb out old leaves by hand 🖐️
Use it in containers and small spaces 🪴
Water through dry spells 💧

Don't

Shear it to the ground ❌
Let it bake dry in sun ❌
Expect fast cover ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Tidy

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Shaded container and small-space plantingLow edging along a shaded pathRock garden and wall crevices in shade

Companion Plants

HostaJapanese Painted Fern Hellebore HeucheraSweet Box

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

sedge questions

What zones can sedge grow in?

sedge is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is sedge deer resistant?

Yes — sedge is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does sedge bloom?

sedge typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does sedge need full sun?

sedge does best in part shade.