Clustered field sedge / Western meadow sedge

Carex praegracilis

Description

The Western meadow sedge is a dense perennial grass-like plant with narrow medium green leaves and delicate inflorescences that grow up to 2 in. long. It is native across most of North America, including much of California where it shows high adaptability to many soil types, moisture and temperature conditions.

Western meadow sedge is easy to grow in the Inland Empire where it quickly spreads by rhizomes to form dense plantings between 12-15 in. tall and with a windswept appearance. This species is used to create meadows as well as planted to serve as a lawn that can be mowed 3-4 in. tall. Good drainage and regular water helps achieve vigorous growth; it turns brown and becomes dormant during warm summer months without regular water. It is a cold tolerant species to temperatures below 10°F.

Plant Type: Ground cover, Grass, Sedge, Native
Foliage Character: Winter deciduous
Habit: Dense, Spreading
Growth Rate: Moderate
Foliage Color: Medium green
Flower Color: Tan
Flower Season: Summer, Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Sand, Loam, Clay, Calcareous soil
Exposure Adaptations: Wind, Morning sun, Moderate shade, Heat, Fog, Cold hardy, All day sun
Function: Residential spaces, Raised planters, Parks and open space, Mass planting, Foliage accent plant, Commercial spaces, Small spaces, Civic spaces, Borders, Banks
Height: 12 in. – 15 in.
Width: 12 in. – 15 in.

The Western meadow sedge is well adapted to sunny exposures and with moderate amounts of summer water. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several winter months marked by an asterisk (*) when rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water; higher amounts of water within this range will help this sedge function best as a lawn substitute.

Moderate Water Use Plants – Irrigation Schedule 4

	Jan*	Feb*	Mar*	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov*	Dec*
Runs per Month	0x to 3x	0x to 3x	0x to 3x	2x to 3x	2x to 3x	3x to 4x	3x to 4x	3x to 4x	2x to 3x	2x to 3x	0x to 3x	0x to 3x
Inches per Run	1″	1″	1″	1″	1″	1″	1″	1″	1″	1″	1″	1″

Inches per Month	0″ to 3″	0″ to 3″	0″ to 3″	2″ to 3″	2″ to 3″	3″ to 4″	3″ to 4″	3″ to 4″	2″ to 3″	2″ to 3″	0″ to 3″	0″ to 3″

Range of supplemental summer water: 17"-24"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-15"

0″-3″

2″-3″

3″-4″

2″-3″

0″-3″

Jan*

Feb*

Mar*

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov*

Dec*

For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, follow this link.

For information how to calculate your irrigation system’s schedule and precipitation rate, please follow this link.

Easiest to grow as a low, informal meadow, but can be mowed to maintain a 1.5″ to 3″ lawn if desired. Stays greener in summer with more water, and is easier to keep looking green in part shade or shade. With lower levels of water, leaves will dry out and turn “golden” in the summer, which can be attractive if it is considered in the planting design. If leaves are allowed to dry, cut back to a few inches in the fall before cool season growth begins. If not regularly mowing, but want to “tidy up” the planting mid year, cut back to 1.5″ to 3″ in the late spring or early summer (16, S). References