Groundcover & Vines – Tall – Porcupine Sedge

Porcupine Sedge 

Botanical name: carex hystericina 

Beginner friendly?: yes 

Average size at maturity: 1-3 ft in height with a spread of 1-2 ft 

Hardy zone: zones 6-10 

Growth rate: grows up to 6 inches per year 

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: white/yellow

Bloom time:  spring, summer

Pruning instructions:  lightly prune in the late winter/early spring before new growth begins to emerge 

Propagation methods: propagate by division during the spring or fall months 

Landscape use: groundcover/background filler, rain garden, erosion control

Special features:  clay tolerant, flood tolerant, unique blooms, deer resistant 

Light needs: 4-6 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: keep soil consistently wet 

Fertilizing instructions : feed with a low dose of a slow-release balanced fertilizer once a year in the early spring 

Best time to plant: spring, summer, fall 

Best type of soil: loam, clay

Companion plants: marsh milkweed, woolgrass, golden ragwort 

Toxicity level: non-toxic to humans and pets 

Invasive species: no