Several weeks ago, I attended a plant seminar that highlighted new and underused plants available to the landscape industry. One plant genus I have used, which has many outstanding attributes for the home landscape, is Carex, commonly called sedge. There were 15 different species of Carex, along with several new cultivars that were presented at the seminar, that made me quiver with excitement. I know, I am a plant geek.
Depending upon the variety of Carex, they can grow in any landscape situation that you can throw at them. You can select a Carex variety that can grow in full sun or shade, wet or dry conditions, good soil to poor. Most are hardy to zone 5, and some spread rapidly whereas others creep along. They can range in color from green to blue to variegated. Some can grow to a height of 24 inches and others will only grow to 6 inches.
But the best part is they are deer resistant. I had planted a landscape bed around a large patio and one side was planted in Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ and the other side was planted in liriope. The liriope was nibbled down to the ground, whereas the deer did not touch the Carex; I make no guarantees about the eating habits of deer, but I was impressed with the Carex.
The following five Carex were mentioned at the seminar, and I highly recommend you try incorporating them in your landscape. Carex flacca ‘Blue Zinger’ grows to six inches tall and spreads rapidly to form a tight groundcover. ‘Blue Zinger’ has beautiful blue-grey foliage very similar in color of blue fescue, and I will say it looks awesome when planted en masse. It can grow in sun or shade and is drought tolerant once established.
Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ is dense spreading sedge which can grow to 12 inches tall. ‘Ice Dance’ has leaves that are dark green in the center with clean white borders. The rapid spreading habit of this sedge makes it ideal for covering large shady areas.
Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ is a clump-forming sedge—growing to 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide—which is grown for its foliage effect. ‘Evergold’ has arching variegated leaves which are creamy yellow with dark green borders. It makes a stunning container plant that can grow in sun or shade.
Carex pensylvanica, commonly known as Pennsylvania sedge, is a native sedge that is low growing and has delicate leaves, giving it a soft appearance. It typically grows in clumps to 8 inches in height with a spread of 12 inches. It is suitable for use as a drought tolerant lawn in shady areas and grows very well in open woods.
Carex siderosticha ‘Variegata’, or broad-leaved sedge, is one of the most useful edging plants for shady gardens. This selection forms a low mound 8 inches high of wide, grassy-looking green leaves, brightly edged in creamy-white. With its wide leaves it can take on the appearance of a small Hosta. This Carex prefers a soil that remains somewhat moist but once established is amazingly tolerant of dry shade.
I have only mentioned five Carex; there are more than 500 native sedges in the United States. A well chosen variety of sedge would be a great addition to any garden in providing your garden with a lush and low maintenance groundcover. Plus, an interesting fact about sedges is that the genus name comes from Latin and means “cutter,” in reference to the sharp leaves and stem edges.
“Sedges have edges; rushes are round; grasses are hollow right up from the ground.”
Craig Dupée is a garden-design consultant. He lives in Ewing with his wife and daughters. Send him your email questions at hort1014u@aol.com.
