Description of Carex riparia (Greater Pond Sedge)

Carex riparia is greater pond sedge, a tall native sedge for saturated ground and pond margins. It’s a good plant when you need height, cover, and a natural edge that looks like a wet meadow.

Appearance

It forms dense clumps of broad, arching leaves and makes brown flower spikes in late spring to summer. In rich wet soil it can reach 1 to 1.5m and bulk out into a wide clump.

Care Guide

It thrives with wet feet and copes with heavy clay.

• Sun: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil: Wet soil, clay, or aquatic compost.
• Water: Keep saturated. Shallow water at the base is fine.
• Control: Divide in spring to manage size. A basket helps in liner bogs.
• Tidy: Comb out dead leaves or cut back in late winter.

It’s great for wildlife ponds because it provides cover and nesting material.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens and pond edges where you can give it room. In smaller beds, grow it in a sunk pot to stop it dominating the planting.

Use it at the back as a green wall behind flowers.

FAQ