Carex

Sedges have edged their way into our hearts, taken foothold in the marketplace, and continue to gain popularity and notoriety—as their durability and utility is undeniable. This expansive genus puts forth key players for the groundcover layer in green infrastructure and myriad stormwater management solutions. Their ability to withstand winter salt, stabilize soil, and attract pollinators at a low-maintenance investment makes them a natural choice for garden applications. Our Carex collection is diverse—obligate to upland species—and tolerant of permanently inundated soils or areas where you seek to create a low foot traffic lawn alternative. Interested in building out your groundcover collection? We are hard at work trialing new species and tailoring our offering of solution-driven sedges.

68 Carex amphibola (1) creek sedge

A widely adaptable sedge with shiny, semi-evergreen foliage and a compact clumping habit. Prefers deciduous shade in upland or floodplain conditions but can take full sun with adequate moisture. This long-lived beauty is an excellent native alternative to Liriope veg

8-12” | Z 3-9 | LP32

Carex appalachica (2) Appalachian sedge tc 12” | Z 3-8 | LP32

Forms dense clumps of cascading, exceptionally fine textured foliage. Adaptable to a wide variety of garden settings—including dry, shady sites under trees—but requires good drainage. Ideal substitute for C. pensylvanica, especially for drier conditions.

Carex cherokeensis (3)

Cherokee sedge veg

This clump-forming sedge works wonders for controlling soil erosion. Fares best in consistently moist, nearly saturated soil. Top ranked performer in our trial gardens with multiple seasons of interest and modest maintenance requirements. Semi-evergreen with early spring flowers and wispy, ornamental seed heads.

12-18” | Z 6-9 | LP32

Carex eburnea (4) bristleleaf sedge tc 6-8” | Z 2-8 | LP32

A wonderful naturalizer, this is an ideal native groundcover for the woodland or rock garden. Delicate, thread-like foliage with inconspicuous whitish-green flower spikes in spring. Each clump has a softly spherical habit, forming sizable stands in loose, friable soils. A low foot traffic lawn alternative.

Carex × hybrida Feather Falls™ PP26199—NEW! (5) veg

Consistently turning heads in our trial gardens, Feather Falls™ lands nowhere short of garden worthy and we are thrilled to now offer this beauty to customers! Give it room to spread as its reach can be quite sizeable—and use en masse where applicable—its clumping habit and long strands of brightly variegated white margined foliage brightens perennial garden. A more suntolerant selection from Exceptio Plants of Holland.

14-18” | Z 6-9 | LP32

Carex flaccosperma blue wood sedge veg

A strong, clump-forming sedge with striking glaucous blue-green leaves. An excellent companion for ferns and other woodland natives. Spreads slowly; tolerant of drought and bright shade. Evergreen in warmer zones.

6-10” | Z 5-8 | LP32

Carex laxiculmus Bunny Blue® ‘HOBB’ creeping sedge tc 8-12” | Z 5-9 | LP32

A low growing native sedge with bold textured, silver-blue foliage. Matures into a dense, rounded clump. A naturalizer that remains evergreen in warmer climates. Late spring flowering.

Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ Japanese sedge veg

A bright groundcover for a shady spot with long, shiny leaves with bright white edges. Over time, forms a semi-evergreen groundcover that provides contrast in the shade garden. Thrives in average to rich soils; quite tolerant of drought once established. Longlasting and easy to grow!

12-15” | Z 5-9 | LP32

Carex muskingumensis (6) Muskingum sedge op

A fine-textured sedge with upright habit and foliage which resembles palm fronds. This species has a dense, clump-forming habit and is happiest in moist meadows and along streams—will thrive in damp environments but does not like inundation. Combine with native ferns or incorporate into rain gardens. A showy textural plant that adds dimension in the garden and great for erosion control in restoration plantings.

2-3’ | Z 4-8 | LP50

Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ (7) golden sedge tc 12” | Z 5-8 | LP32

Fountains of narrow leaves with broad cream stripes and dark green margins provide superb contrast to surrounding plants. With its distinct arching form and cleanly clumping habit, this shade-loving sedge becomes an architectural feature wherever it is planted. A great accent in containers.

Carex pensylvanica (8) Pennsylvania sedge tc 8-10” | Z 4-8 | LP32

A highly versatile native groundcover for average to dry, deciduous shade with finely textured foliage and a graceful, fountainlike habit. Lovely as an underplanting for bolder shade perennials or as a low traffic shade lawn alternative. Spreads via rhizomes and seed to form soft, flowing sweeps. Very popular!

Carex plantaginea (9) seersucker sedge tc 8-10” | Z 4-8 | LP32

Broad, deep green, puckered leaves provide unique texture in the shade garden. Blooms early to midspring with finely tufted mahogany flowers. An excellent groundcover for average to moist shade. Foliage is semi-evergreen with a fresh flush of leaves in the spring.

Carex radiata (10) eastern star sedge tc 1-2’ | Z 4-8 | LP32

Very adaptable, preferring dappled sunlight to medium shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a rich loamy soil with abundant organic matter. Great groundcover to incorporate with native ferns or spring ephemerals, and in shady spots in a rain garden. Blooms in late spring; songbirds enjoy feeding on the seeds.

Carex rosea—NEW! (11) rosy sedge op 12” | Z 3-9 | LP32

A petite woodland sedge with fine textured foliage and elegant starlike flower clusters appearing in spring. Neat, bright green clumps are densely mounded, providing form and function when used en masse—and just as lovely dotted through the landscape.

Carex ‘Silver Sceptre’ (12) Japanese sedge veg 12” | Z 5-9 | LP32

A brightly variegated, showy selection with narrow green leaves with white margins. This clumping Carex is awe-inspiring when planted in sweeps—thriving in the driest of conditions under mature trees. A bright addition to the shade palette, and salt tolerant to boot!

Carex stricta tussock sedge op 2-3’ | Z 3-8 | LP50

Elegantly arching, rich green grasslike foliage forms dense clumps in moist to wet soils. Fibrous roots and rhizomes anchor to the soil and provide erosion control, filtration, and habitat in wetlands. A wonderful plant for bioswales, constructed wetlands, and along pond edges—right at home in a rain garden.

Carex vulpinoidea fox sedge op 1-3’ | Z 3-7 | LP50

Key species for bioretention, phytoremediation, rain gardens, and bioswales. Matures into attractive tufts of narrow foliage with rhizomatous and fibrous root systems. Seedheads mature in late summer and resemble foxes’ tails.

Athyrium niponicum