All media depicts mature plants.

Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex)

Perennial

8 total reviews

  • Drought tolerant, no-mow lawn!
  • Fine-textured, green blades create a lush carpet.
  • Highly adaptable to any soil.
  • Ideal for shady slopes and erosion protection.
  • Zones 3-8, part sun/shade, 12" tall x 12" wide at maturity.
  • ZONE
  • EXPOSURE
  • HEIGHT
Size: One Quart
Regular price $16.99
Sale price Sale: $16.99 Regular price Each
Total: $16.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee

Description

Carex pennsylvanica, or Pennsylvania sedge, grows as a lush, semi-evergreen carpet in tough-to-grow spaces. The soft, arching green blades reach 8-10" long. This low maintenance and durable grass can serve as a no-mow lawn replacement, especially in areas where typical grasses struggle. Try growing it under pine or oak trees as a solution to patchy lawn growth. Shallow, dense roots bind to topsoil, making it ideal for shady slopes and erosion protection. As a native plant that thrives in shallow, moist soil, it will fit perfectly in rain, rock, or native plant gardens!

Details

Botanical name: Carex pennsylvanica
Common name: Oak sedge, early sedge, common oak sedge, yellow sedge
Zone: 3 - 8
Sun exposure: Part-sun (4-6 hours sun) to shade (< 4 hours sun)
Soil type: Clay, normal, sandy
Soil moisture: Dry, average, or moist
Height x width: 6-12" tall x 6-12" wide
Foliage color: Green
Bloom time: Grown for foliage
Features: Suitable for slopes, heat tolerant, ground covers, dry soils, drought tolerant, container plants, cold tolerant, best sellers
Uses: Lawn substitute, container plant, edging, erosion control, ground cover, massing, rain garden, slopes, small spaces, underplanting, waterside, woodland

How to Grow

Soil: Plants thrive in wet soil but also tolerates average soil.
Light: Grows best in part-sun, but can withstand sun or shade.
Water: Likes even moisture, so water regularly.
Spacing: 6" to 12"
Fertilizing: Generally, not required. In poor soils, a light application of slow-release fertilizer can be applied.
Winterizing: No care is needed.
Maintenance & pruning: Trim foliage to the ground in early spring.

12 Low-Maintenance Ornamental Grasses For Sun or Shade

Ornamental grasses are a staple in most low-maintenance gardens because they are hardy, durable, and add beautiful color, texture, and movement to the landscape. During the winter, ornamental grasses continue to add interest, inviting birds with exposed seed heads while the dried flowers and foliage rustle in the winter winds. Here, we’ll list our favorite low-maintenance ornamental grasses for sun or shade.

Learn More

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:

bush distance

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:

bush distance zigzag

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.