trefle.io · Taken May 24, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Cyperaceae
German-sarsaparilla
Carex arenaria
Also known as Wild sarsaparilla, False sarsaparilla, Aralia, Carex arenaria var. prostrata
Native Plants · Edibles & Herbs · Sedge · Ground Cover · Medicinal · Sand Stabiliser · Coastal · Rhizomatous · Shade Tolerant · European · Grassland · Ornamental Grass
German-sarsaparilla (sand sedge) is a rhizomatous perennial sedge that naturalises well in sandy, well-drained soils in partial shade or dappled sunlight, making it an excellent ground-cover for stabilising dune or sandy garden soils. It is low maintenance once established and spreads steadily via underground rhizomes, which have a traditional history of medicinal use. Water moderately during dry spells and divide clumps every few years if spread needs to be controlled.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately to keep soil lightly moist; avoid prolonged waterlogging · Every 7-10 days; more frequent in sandy soils or dry conditions
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–7.5
- Temperature
- -20°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 12 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Baltic States, Belgium, Delaware, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Maryland, Netherlands, North Carolina, Northwest European R, Norway, Oregon, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Virginia
- Attracts
- Bees, Moths
Sources: trefle, usda
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