Carex laxiculmis 'Bunny Blue'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Carex laxiculmis 'Hobb'
- Carex laxiculmis 'Hobb' BUNNY BLUE
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks laks-ih-KULM-is
- Description
-
‘Bunny Blue’ spreading sedge is a native grass-like herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cypereaceae). It is found in Canada, through the central and southeastern United States, in the rich soils of forests, slopes, and floodplains. The species epithet is Latin for “lax stem” and refers to the inflorescences that are borne at an angle of more than 45 degrees from the vertical.
‘Bunny Blue’ spreading sedge is an easy-to-grow, evergreen, woodland plant. It likes partial or dappled shade and can even tolerate deep shade. It needs moist, humus-rich soil and does not mind occasional periods of wet soil. Nevertheless, it is drought-tolerant once established and tolerates dry shade.
Grow ‘Bunny Blue’ in a woodland garden, a native garden or a wildlife garden (this species is used as a food plant for certain caterpillars). It can be used as a border plant or ground cover. It looks great planted along walkways, between paving stones or in a shady border. It is a good alternative to hostas. It will grow in a container.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems, but spider mites, aphids, thrips and rhizoctonia can be an issue.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Part Shade Garden, Durham County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- laxiculmis
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Yellow/white flowers bloom in late spring/early summer (May to June). However, they are insignificant and not showy.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are light green to a blue-green or silver-blue and grow in dense rounded clumps. The arching grass-like leaves are 12 to 14 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- The flower stems are triangular and arching
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Heavy Shade
- Insect Pests
- Wet Soil
