Carex caryophyllea, commonly known as the Spring Sedge, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the sedge family. It is native to a variety of habitats including grasslands, open woodlands, and forest edges across Europe and temperate Asia. This sedge typically forms dense tufts and reaches heights of 10-25 cm. The narrow, grass-like leaves are a distinguishing feature, and the plant produces inconspicuous greenish-brown flowers in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they do contribute to the plant’s overall texture in a garden setting.

Spring Sedge is valued for its ability to form a low-maintenance ground cover, particularly in areas with moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in both full sun and partial shade, making it versatile for various garden designs. It is often used in meadow plantings, as an understory in woodland gardens, or for erosion control on slopes. While it is not known for significant problems with diseases or pests, it can become somewhat invasive if conditions are ideal, spreading through rhizomes and self-seeding. Gardeners should be mindful of its spreading habit and may need to manage its growth to prevent it from overtaking other plantings.CC BY-SA 4.0