Cyperaceae
Carex bicolor
Carex bicolor
Also known as Carex bicolor var. minima, Carex minima, Carex cenisia, Vignea bicolor
Zones 3–9Sun Full SunWater ModerateCare Low
Native Plants · Sedge · Alpine · Perennial · Cold Hardy · Rock Garden · Native · Wetland · Ornamental Grass · Low Maintenance
Pet-safeBeginner-friendly
Currently out of stock everywhereStock updated 9/6/2026
This hardy alpine sedge thrives in cool, moist conditions with partial shade. Perfect for rock gardens or naturalized areas where its distinctive two-toned foliage adds subtle interest. Requires minimal care once established and tolerates cold temperatures well.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water when top inch of soil feels dry, maintain consistent moisture · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7–7.5
- Temperature
- -40°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 3a-9b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 8 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Fine
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alaska, Alberta, Aleutian Is., Altay, Austria, British Columbia, East European Russia, France, Great Britain, Greenland, Iceland, Irkutsk, Italy, Kamchatka, Krasnoyarsk, Manitoba, Newfoundland, North European Russi, Northwest Territorie, Norway
Sources: trefle, usda
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