Tall Sledge Grass

Tall Sledge Grass (Carex appressa), properly a sedge rather than a grass, is the Australian native to plant where water sits and nothing else will hold. It makes a dense weeping tussock about 900mm tall and 800mm across, roots hard into wet or poor ground, and asks for nothing once away. Planted 60cm apart it knits into continuous cover that binds a bank and smothers weeds.

Why you'll love it

• It thrives in wet feet. Dam edges, swales, rain gardens and the boggy low corner of a lawn are its natural habitat, not a compromise.
• Roots that hold a slope. A fibrous mat binds loose soil, which is why landscapers use it for erosion control on batters and creek banks.
• Australian native and pet friendly. Useful habitat for small birds and frogs, and not toxic to cats or dogs.
• Tough, and fast. Frost hardy, wind tolerant, salt tolerant and content in poor soil, from the tropics to cool temperate gardens, and it fills its space within a season.

Where it works best

Mass planting and groundcover. Plant 60cm apart for continuous cover. The tussocks meet by the end of the first growing season and the weeping foliage shades out weed seed before it germinates.

Retaining walls and slopes. Use the same 60cm spacing in staggered rows across a batter. The root mass does the structural work while the foliage slows water running down the surface.

Rain gardens, borders and coastal blocks. It handles the swing between saturated and dry that kills most ornamentals, and softens a hard path edge.

Growing tall sledge grass in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the densest tussock, and it accepts part shade with a looser habit. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens, and being frost hardy it carries through cold inland and southern winters without protection.

Soil. Genuinely unfussy. Heavy clay, poor sand, compacted fill and permanently damp ground all work. The only site it dislikes is one that stays bone dry for months on end.

Water and feed. Water twice a week for the first two months to settle the roots, then rely on rain in most districts. Feeding is optional, though a light native slow release fertiliser in early spring lifts the colour on a very poor site.

Pruning. Cut the whole clump back to about 150mm every second or third year in late winter. It reshoots quickly and comes back tighter and greener than the tired clump you removed.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in two sizes: tube stock, and 140mm pots sold in packs of ten. Tubes are the standard unit for revegetation and large mass plantings, and they establish quickly because the root system is proportionally large. The 140mm plants suit a visible garden bed where you want cover this season.

Sedges travel well. Foliage may arrive creased or with browned tips, which is cosmetic and disappears with the next flush. Keep the ground damp for the first month, then expect new growth within four to six weeks. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare the grasses and strappy leaf plants range
• Browse the wider Australian natives collection
• Plants safe for pets
• Choosing grasses for planting under trees

Common questions

How many plants do I need?

At 60cm spacing you need about three plants per square metre in a staggered grid, so a pack of ten covers roughly three square metres. For erosion control on a steep face, tighten it to 45cm.

Will it grow in standing water?

It tolerates saturated soil and periodic inundation, which is what a swale or dam edge delivers. Permanent deep water is different, so plant it on the margin.

Is it safe for dogs?

Yes. It is not toxic to cats or dogs, so it works in a yard where animals push through the planting. The leaf edges are finely serrated, so it feels rough to a bare hand.