At Prairie Nursery we’ve been growing and selling native sedges for more than 25 years, and we’re delighted that these garden worthy perennials are finally getting the attention they deserve. One of the largest genera of plants, sedges (Carex sp.) can be found growing naturally in just about any environment. from woodlands to swamps and marshes – even on dry sand. While many sedges dwell in very specific habitats, there are also “generalists” sedges that will tolerate a wide range of conditions, and these do especiallly well in tended landscapes.
To back up just a bit, sedges are grass-like plants. They’re green, tufty and extremely versatile. Arching, spikey, mounding, compact, or airy and open – the ornamental qualities of sedges are perfect for a variety of situations with beautiful results. Some sedges call more attention to themselves, while others serve as supporters. Sedges green-up and bloom early, which is in contrast to many taller prairie grasses that take the full season to mature. Think of sedges as an early-season grass that looks good all summer!
- Base or matrix plant. Sedges can provide the necessary continuity, throughout a large planted area, that “ties it all together.”
- Border Plant. Line a path or walkway with arching sedges, or low-growing tufts. Frame your planting area with a mounding sedge species.
- Accent or Specimen. A large arching sedge offers great architectural form.
- Groundcover or lawn replacement. A single species such as Pennsylvania Sedge can be used as a lawn-like groundcover, but why not include a variety of compatible sedges and add some dimension!
- Rain garden or dentention area. Some sedges are especially well suited to deal with water runoff and are excellent choices for the rain garden. Fox Sedge, Palm Sedge and Copper Shouldered Oval Sedge are all good rain garden species.
- Filling-in. Fill those empty spaces or “holes” in an existing planting with the right sedge. Native woodland sedges can be added under trees in the root zone, or around the base of shrubs and taller plants. Sedges intermingle beautifully in any setting.
Low-Growing Sedges
Pennsylvania Sedge (above). The fine textured leaves, 6″ height and a creeping habit make this a great lawn alternative for dry soils in wooded areas. Planted one foot on center, it will fill in to form a dense low-growing, maintenance free groundcover. Requires a well-drained soil, in light to full shade. In planting a large colony of sedges, choosing the right sedge for your location is very important. Find a sedge that is both native to your region, and a good fit for your growing conditions.
Low-growing, Plantian Leaved Sedge (above) combines well with other woodland plants in a naturalized groundcover. Or use it to fill-in spaces beneath shrubs and around larger plants. It’s a good one for planting at the base of trees and has great fall color, too.
The low tufted Ivory Sedge (above) is perfect for rock gardens and its heat-and-drought-tolerance make it a perfect fit for dry sandy or gravelly soils. Ivory Sedge grows well under junipers and can be used to create “lawn look” groundcover in dry shady spots with low foot traffic.
Ornamental Sedges
FOX SEDGE (above). Fox sedge is a wetland species that will grow in any garden soil with full sun. It looks very much like Prairie Dropseed but is a better choice for clay or poorly-drained soils. Often Prairie Dropseed is planted for its soft, mounding shape, but if you garden in a nutrient rich or clay soil, Fox Sedge is for you. This gorgeous sedge is perfectly rounded in overall form, about 24 inches tall and two feet across.
Palm Sedge (above) is a versatile, adaptable wetland species that makes an excellent garden plant. It tolerates sun or shade, dry or wet. Prized for its texture, it offers a fine-textured contrast to broad-leaved plants. Combine it with Sensitive Fern, or another large-leaved plant such as Canada Anemone. It’s a good choice for rain gardens and it tolerates tough clay very well.
Bur Sedge (above) is a terrific ornamental sedge. A beautiful vase-shape with arching leave blades and really cool spiked flowers make this sedge a highlight in the garden. Growing up to three feet high, it can definitely stand out in a crowd.
The thin spikey stalks of Copper Shouldered Oval Sedge (above) offer a good contrast to the Bur Sedge in the previous photo, or Long Beaked Sedge, below.
Long Beaked Sedge is a medium-sized workhorse that will grow just about anywhere. It looks good in combination with a variety of other sedges.
Here’s a quick comparison list…
| Sedge/Name | Ht | Soil | Sunlight | Range |
| C.albicans White Tinged Sedge |
1’-2’ | Dry to Medium; Sand, Loam |
Partial Sun to Shade | Map |
| C. amphibola Creek Sedge |
1’- 2’ | Medium to Wet; Sand, Loam, Clay |
Partial Shade to Shade | Map |
| C.bicknellii Copper Shouldered Oval Sedge |
1’-3’ | Medium to Moist; Sand, Loam, Clay |
Full to Partial Sun | Map |
| C. comosa Bottlebrush Sedge |
2’- 4’ | Moist to Wet; Sand, Loam, Clay |
Full Sun | Map |
| C. eburnea Ivory Sedge |
6”- 1’ | Dry to Medium; Sand, Loam |
Partial Sun to Shade |
Map |
| C.grayi Bur Sedge |
2’- 3’ | Medium-Wet; Loam, Clay |
Full to Partial Sun | Map |
| C. Hystericina Porcupine Sedge |
3’ | Moist to Wet; Sand, Loam, Clay |
Full Sun | Map |
| C. muskingumensis Palm Sedge |
2’-3’ | Medium to Moist; Sand, Loam, Clay |
Full to Partial Sun | Map |
| C. pensylvanica Pennsylvania Sedge |
6”-1’ | Dry to Medium; Sand, Loam |
Partial Sun to Shade |
Map |
| C. plantaginea Plantain Leaved Sedge |
6”-1’ | Medium to Moist; Sand, Loam, Clay |
Partial Sun to Shade |
Map |
| C. radiata Eastern Star Sedge |
1’-2’ | Medium to Moist; Sand, Loam |
Partial Sun to Shade |
Map |
| C. rosea Golden Star Sedge |
1’ | Dry to Medium; Sand, Loam |
Partial Sun to Shade |
Map |
| C. sprengelii Long Beaked Sedge |
1’-2’ | Dry to Moist; Sand, Loam, Clay |
Full Sun to Shade |
Map |
| C. stipata Awl Fruited Sedge |
4’ | Wet; Sand, Loam, Clay |
Full to Partial Sun | Map |
| C. vulpinoidea Fox Sedge |
1’-3’ | Medium to Wet; Sand, Loam, Clay |
Full Sun | Map |
