Goose grass (Carex hirta)
Goose grass (Carex hirta) is a grass plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Goose grass (Carex hirta).
This plant has several common names including: goose grass, hairy sedge or hammer sedge.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: goose grass, hairy sedge, hammer sedge
Scientific name: Carex hirta
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Poorly drained
Garden type: Wildflower meadow, Wildlife Gardens
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Goose grass (Carex hirta) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other types of Carex to consider:
See all Carex
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Goose grass (Carex hirta), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Goose grass (Carex hirta) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Carex hirta likes to grow in moist but well drained or humid or poorly drained soils.
Sunlight
Goose grass (Carex hirta) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Goose grass (Carex hirta) – Yoan MARTIN, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, via Wikimedia Commons
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