palm sedge plant Learn about Carex muskingumensis 'Oehme' | Oehme's Variegated Palm Sedge

palm sedge plant Learn about Carex muskingumensis 'Oehme' | Oehme's Variegated Palm SedgeThis 1994 Plant Delights JLBG introduction was found by our friend, the late Wolfgang Oehme of Oehme and Van Sweden (famous landscape designers), who asked us to introduce it. This sport from Wolfgang's garden has the typical growth habit of the North American native (Canada south to Arkansas) Carex muskingumensis forming a semi evergreen clump of 18" tall stalks which look like miniature palm trees, but with a clear yellow border around the leaves.

This 1994 Plant Delights/JLBG introduction was found by our friend, the late Wolfgang Oehme of Oehme and Van Sweden (famous landscape designers), who asked us to introduce it. This sport from Wolfgang's garden has the typical growth habit of the North American native (Canada south to Arkansas) Carex muskingumensis forming a semi-evergreen clump of 18" tall stalks which look like miniature palm trees, but with a clear yellow border around the leaves. Although Carex muskingumensis 'Oehme' emerges green, the vivid yellow stripes appear soon after. For us, the foliage tops out at 18", followed in late spring with bronze flower spikes that rise to 2' in height. In part sun to light shade, Carex muskingumensis 'Oehme' will be happy in a wide range of soil moisture including waterlogged sites. As with all sedges, Carex 'Oehme' has excellent deer resistance.

Maintenance:

Carex is a very low maintenance native perennial sedge. We recommend cutting it to the ground in late winter for better appearance after the new growth emerges. Cutting or not cutting has no effect on plant health.

Growing Conditions:

It grows in a wide range of conditions from wet to fairly dry, but always err on the moist side. The more sun in which you site your plant, the more moisture you'll want to provide.

Garden Value:

Palm sedge has a unique upright texture compared to almost all other sedges. To our knowledge, this is one of the only variegated leaf native carex.

Natural Impact:

Oehme's sedge is a great host plant for an array of important garden insects.