Gray’s Sedge Carex grayi
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAIR-eks GRAY-eye
- Description
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A low maintenance rush or sedge in the Cyperaceae family. Works well on sites prone to erosion when using bioswales, also tolerates wet soils such as floodplains, swamps and bottomland forests.. Grows best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. The plant propagates by seeds in the fall or root division in the spring. It makes 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. The Carex grayi seed heads are a wonderful unexpected pale-green with earmarks of being spiked clubs that have a long bloom time from spring to fall being 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.
- 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:
- grayi
- Family:
- Cyperacea
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports various Satyr larvae.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 5 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Good Dried
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- 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. Displays from June to September
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Blooms from May to June.
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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
- Meadow
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Winter Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Erosion
- Wet Soil
