Greater pond sedge (Carex riparia)
Greater pond sedge (Carex riparia) is an aquatic plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Greater pond sedge (Carex riparia).
This plant has several common names including: greater pond sedge or greater bank sedge.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: greater pond sedge, greater bank sedge
Scientific name: Carex riparia
Plant type: Aquatic, Bogs, Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Clay, Loam
Moisture: Poorly drained
Garden type: Wildflower meadow, Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Greater pond sedge (Carex riparia) – Petr Filippov, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Whether small or large, formal or informal, every garden has space for an aquatic element. The sound and reflective qualities of water have long been used to add interest to gardens.
A pond, fountain or even a smaller water container greatly increases the variety of plants you can grow. In addition, they also encourage a wide variety of wildlife, including insects, frogs, toads and birds.
Together with plants, these elements offer a diversity of interests.
Other types of Carex to consider:
See all Carex
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Greater pond sedge (Carex riparia), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Greater pond sedge (Carex riparia) is a plant that prefers to grow in clay or loam.
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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.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Carex riparia likes to grow in humid or poorly drained soil.
Sunlight
Greater pond sedge (Carex riparia) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Greater pond sedge (Carex riparia) – Emmanuel STRATMAINS, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, via Wikimedia Commons
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