Family
Cyperaceae
Botanical Name
CAREX tumulicola
Plant Common Name
Splitawn Sedge
General Description
Native to dry soils in the northwestern U.S., this sedge grows in a spreading, cascading clump of narrow green leaves. Though it resembles an ornamental grass and is listed by some nurseries as a grass, it belongs to a different family, and like many of its fellow sedges, is more versatile than most grasses, being tolerant of both full sun and partial to fairly deep shade (even under trees) and most soils, including somewhat dry, moist and wet soils. In mild climates, it is evergreen. It is rhizomatous (spreading by underground stems) but not invasive and one plant eventually becomes a colony, making it a good ground cover. The flowers are nondescript, appearing in clusters on thin, tall stems and should be cut off to prevent re-seeding. Some nurseries sell by this name a different sedge, Carex divulsa, that is similar.
Grow Berkeley sedge for contrasts of texture and habit in containers, mixed beds and mixed borders. Or plant it as edging for walkways, or massed as a groundcover in a wet woodland.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 8
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Plant Type
Sedge or Rush
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Northwestern United States
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
White, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
