Black Sedge Common Sedge

Carex nigra

Family
Cyperaceae (sy-peer-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Carex (KAR-eks)
Species
nigra (NY-gruh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Light Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Groundcovers
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo
Perennials
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Knights Landing, California

Olympia, Washington

Racine, Wisconsin

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Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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J
Southeast, WI | May 2017 | positive

I grow this in my pond and it does phenomenally. Spreads quite quickly, and in just a few years I've gone from one pot full to five. Defi...Read More

T
St. John's, NL (Zone 5b) | December 2004 | positive

This is another native sedge in Newfoundland and one that is small enough to use in a rock garden setting. They will grow in regular gar...Read More

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