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Native alternative(s) for Carex glaucescens:
Carex grayi Gray’s Sedge
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Carex pensylvanica Carex pensylvanica
Saururus cernuus Saururus cernuus
Viola macloskeyi Viola macloskeyi

Carex glaucescens

Phonetic Spelling
KAY-reks glaw-KES-sens
Description

Carex glaucescens, an attractive sedge native to North America, in the Cyperaceae family, is found along pond or stream margins, in bogs, swamps, ditches, wet meadows, and in seasonally wet areas.  Brown pendulous, pistillate spikes bloom late spring to early summer with yellowish, smooth glaucous fruits developing in late summer.  While the fruits are not widely eaten by wildlife, this erect, spreading grass, which matures to a height of 5 feet, is occasionally used for cover.

When used in landscaping and due to the high moisture needs of this native sedge, it should be planted in light shade in a consistently moist area.  In a rain garden or at the edge of a pond, place this plant approximately 2 feet apart. To propagate, divide the rootball or collect seeds from seedheads that have dried on the plant.

Seasons of Interest:

    Flower: Spring  Seeds: Summer

Wildlife Value:  Cover plant.

 

 

 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#rain garden#sedge#cover plant#waxy#shelter for wildlife#seedheads#riparian#ornamental grass#wetlands#NC native#pond garden#native garden#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source summer#food source herbage#wet soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#HS302#Audubon#various satyr butterfly#perennial#boggy sites#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#rain garden#sedge#cover plant#waxy#shelter for wildlife#seedheads#riparian#ornamental grass#wetlands#NC native#pond garden#native garden#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source summer#food source herbage#wet soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#HS302#Audubon#various satyr butterfly#perennial#boggy sites#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Carex
    Species:
    glaucescens
    Family:
    Cyperaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    SE. U.S.A. to Texas
    Wildlife Value:
    While the fruits are not widely eaten by wildlife, occasionally used for cover. This plant supports various Satyr larvae.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fruit Description:
    Brown pendulous, pistillate spikes bloom late spring to early summer with yellowish, smooth glaucous fruits developing in late summer.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Blooms from May to June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil