Grass · Cyperaceae family
wood sedge
Carex sylvatica
In short a 10-second read
Wood sedge (grass) grows to 0.25–0.6 m tall and 0.3–0.45 m wide when mature. It grows best in part shade to shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
× spread 0.3–0.45 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in part shade to shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, humus-rich
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
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
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
cut back by a third (April–July)
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–October
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −23 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does wood sedge tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does wood sedge need?
At maturity 0.3–0.45 m wide and 0.25–0.6 m tall; recommended spacing 41 cm.
Does wood sedge survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (10)
- LWG Veitshöchheim — Eppel-Hotz
- GBIF — occurrence search Carex sylvatica
- Pladias — Databáze české flóry a vegetace
- Bamberger Staudengarten (Strobler), katalóg
- Sarastro Stauden, katalóg
- RHS Plant Finder
- Gärtnerei Strickler, katalóg
- Foerster-Stauden, katalóg
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - How to grow ornamental grasses
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