Blue Sedge Carex glaucescens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks glaw-KES-sens
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
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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.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Blooms from May to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
