Gray’s Sedge Carex grayi
- Description
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A low maintenance rush or sedge in the Cyperaceae family. Works well on sites prone to erosion and also tolerates wet soils. Grows best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. It propagates by seeds in the fall or root division in the spring. It would make an excellent addition to a rain garden and is impactful in the landscape when planted in large groups. It can also be grown in containers. It has a long bloom time from spring to fall producing greenish yellow to brown seed heads that look like spiked clubs and are attractive in both fresh and dried flower arrangements. If the dried fruits remain on the plant they add winter interest to the garden.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Spring-Fall, May-October Fruit: Summer-Winter
Wildilfe Value: Tolerates damage by deer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No insect or disease problems. It does not preform well in dry soils.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- grayi
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grass
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Good Dried
- Long Bloom Season
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Description:
- It has a long bloom time from spring to fall producing greenish yellow to brown seed heads that look like spiked clubs and are attractive in both fresh and dried flower arrangements. If the dried fruits remain on the plant they add winter interest to the garden.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Wet Soil
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
- Miscanthus sinensis 'Graziella'
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Monarda 'Raspberry Wine'
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Carex pensylvanica
