Plant Type: Sedge, Native, Ground cover, Grass
Foliage Character: Winter deciduous
Habit: Spreading, Dense
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: Morning sun, Moderate shade, Heat, Fog, Cold hardy, All day sun, Wind
Function: Mass planting, Foliage accent plant, Commercial spaces, Small spaces, Civic spaces, Borders, Banks, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Parks and open space
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.
| |
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″ |
0″-3″ |
0″-3″ |
2″-3″ |
2″-3″ |
3″-4″ |
3″-4″ |
3″-4″ |
2″-3″ |
2″-3″ |
0″-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
