Eastern Star Sedge (Carex)
Perennial
- Ornamental grass with star-like flower clusters!
- Native to North America.
- Low maintenance and easy to grow in moist and shaded sites.
- Zones 4-8, shade to part sun, 2' tall and 2' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Eastern Star sedge is a North American native perennial that is low maintenance and easy to grow. It's tolerant to a wide range of soils but grows best in moist or wet areas - like in rain gardens, bogs, or alongside ponds and streams. Try planting it in your shady sites as a ground cover or even a lawn alternative!
Details
Common name: Eastern Star sedge
Zone: 4 - 8
Sun exposure: Shade (<4 hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 1- 2' tall x 1 - 2' wide
Foliage color: Green
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Rare & unusual, wet soils, rain gardens, native, ground covers, deer & rabbit resistant
Uses: Accent, container, edging, ground cover, massing, rain garden, small spaces, waterside
How to Grow
Light: Grows best in part-sun, but can withstand sun or shade.
Water: Likes even moisture, so water regularly.
Spacing: 1 to 1.5 feet
Fertilizing: Generally, not required. In poor soils, a light application of slow-release fertilizer can be applied.
Winterizing: No care is needed. This sedge is evergreen in the deep South, maintaining good foliage in both summer and winter.
Maintenance & pruning: Trim foliage to the ground in early spring in areas where it does not grow as an evergreen.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.