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Variegated Black Blooming Sedge*

Carex nigra 'Variegata'

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Variegated Black Blooming Sedge (Carex nigra 'Variegata') at Squak Mountain Nursery

Variegated Black Blooming Sedge

Variegated Black Blooming Sedge

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

* This is a "special order" plant - contact store for details

Plant Height:  12 inches

Flower Height:  16 inches

Spread:  12 inches

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4

Description:

A great plant for the rock garden or border edge; twisty tufts of light green foliage edged with yellow; contrasting black blooms rising above in summer; tolerant of wet soils

Ornamental Features

Variegated Black Blooming Sedge is primarily valued in the garden for its interestingly mounded form. It has masses of beautiful black catkins at the ends of the stems from mid spring to early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its attractive grassy leaves remain light green in color with distinctive yellow edges throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Variegated Black Blooming Sedge is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial grass with a mounded form. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Variegated Black Blooming Sedge is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Variegated Black Blooming Sedge will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 16 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

 

* This is a "special order" plant - contact store for details

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Edging  Garden  Groundcover 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Texture  Plant Form 
Ornamental Features

Disclaimer - This Plant Finder tool is an online resource representing many of the varieties that we carry over the course of the season, and is intended for informational purposes only. Inventory varies seasonally, so we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times - please contact the store directly for availability. It does not include our entire inventory of plants, so be sure to visit our store to see varieties that may not be represented on this list.