Host Sedge

Carex hostiana

Native to:
Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Labrador, Netherlands, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Cyperaceae
Genus:
Carex
Species:
Carex hostiana
USDA Symbol:
CAHO13

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
90 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
green, brown

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Common in calcareous fens and wet meadows

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
Germination Time:
30–60 days
Notes:
Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy.