Common Name: grey sedge
Type: Rush or Sedge
Family: Cyperaceae
Native Range: Northern Africa, western Asia, Europe
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Pale green maturing to light brown
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Ground Cover, Naturalize, Rain Garden
Flower: Insignificant
Leaf: Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Drought, Heavy Shade, Clay Soil, Dry Soil
Culture
Best grown in part shade with evenly moist, well-draining soil. Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions and soil types, including dry shade, occasional drought, moist, poorly draining clay soils, sandy soils, heat and humidity. Can self-seed aggressively under the right conditions. Can be used as a lawn alternative and will take well to occasional high mowing and light foot traffic. Shear plants back to remove developing seedheads to prevent any unwanted self-seeding. Hardy in Zones 5-9.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Carex divulsa, commonly called European grey sedge or grassland sedge, is a semi-evergreen, clumping sedge species native to temperate Europe, northern Africa, and the Caucasus region where it grows in mixed forests and shrublands as well as roadsides and other disturbed habitats. It has escaped cultivation and can be found in parts of Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. The arching clumps of fine leaves will reach up to 2' wide with a similar spread when mature. Thin, wiry stalks topped with 4-8 spikelets made up of small, horticulturally insignificant flowers appear in late spring to early summer. For many years this species was misidentified and sold under the name C. tumulicola, a clumping sedge native to the west coast of the United States and commonly known as foothill sedge or Berkeley sedge. The spikelets of C. tumulicola tend to be clustered a the ends of the stalks, while the lower 2-3 spikelets of C. divulsa tend to be far removed and separated from the upper spikelets. C. divulsa is still sometimes sold under the common name Berkeley sedge.
Genus name from Latin means cutter in reference to the sharp leaves and stem edges (rushes are round but sedges have edges) found on most species' plants.
The specific epithet divulsa means "separated" or "torn apart", possibly in reference to the lower, 2-3 spikelets being far removed from the upper spikelets which tend to be more closely clustered together.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems of note. Has escaped cultivation outside of its native range and has been misidentified as a North American native species in the past. Verify the identity and consult with local ordinances and recommendations before adding this plant to your landscape.
Uses
Bed edger, groundcover, or filler for partly shaded garden areas, under-planting trees, or rain gardens. Can be used as a lawn alternative and will tolerate light foot traffic.