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Berkeley sedge — <em>Carex divulsa</em> Berkeley sedge — <em>Carex divulsa</em> Berkeley sedge — <em>Carex divulsa</em> Berkeley sedge — <em>Carex divulsa</em>

Description

The Berkeley sedge is a hardy perennial grass-like plant with a clumping growth habit comprised of fine textured green leaves. In a few years time it develops into a graceful mounding plant to 18 in. tall and as wide. This soft textured species is a highly adaptable plant that has been used in understory areas, along pathways and on slopes for erosion control in residential and commercial landscapes.

Water Needs

The Berkeley sedge is a robust plant that grows well throughout the Inland Empire in partial shade and with normal winter rainfall and 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 will result in stronger springtime flowering performance and summer foliage character.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Low Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 2

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

Range of supplemental summer water: 7"-14"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-10"

 
0"-2"
0"-2"
0"-2"
1"-2"
1"-2"
1"-2"
1"-2"
1"-2"
1"-2"
1"-2"
0"-2"
0"-2"
  Jan* Feb* Mar* Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov* Dec*
For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Grass, Sedge
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Symmetrical, Mounding, Graceful, Clumping
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height: 18 in.
Width: 18 in.
Water Needs: Low 2
Foliage Color: Medium green
Flower Color: Green
Flower Season: Winter, Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Loam
Exposure Adaptations: Morning sun, Moderate shade, Heat, Cold hardy, All day sun
Function: Slopes, Rock gardens, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Parks and open space, Near pools and water features, Mass planting, Grouped, Foundations, Foliage accent plant, Container plant, Commercial spaces, Civic spaces, Borders, Banks, Small spaces

Maintenance

Keep maintenance low by giving plants proper space to grow. Individual plants often grow wider in our area than stated in books or online. Recommended space between carex divulsa plants should be 2' minimum to around 3' unless you want a tangled and very wild look. Looks best with a hard cut back once per year after flowers dry. If you are cutting back a large planting do not use hand pruners. It will take far too long. Use hedge shears (manual or powered) or carefully use a curved serrated blade (designed for gardening) (S).

References

Associations

Plant Lists