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Grass · Cyperaceae family

Bird's foot sedge

Carex ornithopoda

Part shade to shade 0.15–0.25 m × 0.2–0.3 m to −23 °C

In short a 10-second read

LightPart shade to shade
Size0.15–0.25 m
spacing 30 cm
PlantingMarch–May, September–October
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Light, soil and water.

It grows best in part shade to shade, in dry to average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

neutral to alkaline soil
acidicneutralalkaline
dry to averageloamyhumus-rich

Watering

regularly until establishedonly in dry spellsless when it rains

Frost

−23 °C
no winter protectiondies back in winter, regrows in spring

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

50 cm1 m1.5 m0.15–0.25 mspread 0.2–0.3 m
0.15–0.25 m× spread 0.2–0.3 m

Plant 30 cm apart.

Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Planting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Planting
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–May, September–October

Feeding

Nutrition.

No feeding

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

Aphids

Aphids

Aphidoidea
pestsource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

Colonies on shoot tips and young leaves, sticky honeydew.

When to look

Spring – summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Check plants often and act early.
    • Encourage ladybirds, hoverflies, ground beetles and ichneumon wasps.
  2. By hand spring and summerSquash colonies with your fingers; wipe off honeydew with a damp cloth.
  3. Biological April to JuneLeave natural enemies to work; populations often catch up in spring.
Aphidspest · spring – summer

What you will see

Colonies on shoot tips and young leaves, sticky honeydew.

When to look

Spring – summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Check plants often and act early.
    • Encourage ladybirds, hoverflies, ground beetles and ichneumon wasps.
  2. By hand spring and summerSquash colonies with your fingers; wipe off honeydew with a damp cloth.
  3. Biological April to JuneLeave natural enemies to work; populations often catch up in spring.
More about this problem
Sources (2)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Does bird's foot sedge tolerate shade?

Yes, it tolerates full shade.

How much space does bird's foot sedge need?

At maturity 0.2–0.3 m wide and 0.15–0.25 m tall; recommended spacing 30 cm.

Aphids — what can you do?

Check plants often and act early. Squash colonies with your fingers; wipe off honeydew with a damp cloth.

Sources (6) Checked 28 September 2026

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