Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAIR-eks pen-sill-VAN-ee-ka
- Description
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Pennsylvania sedge is native to thickets and dry woodland areas in North America. It is commonly found near oak trees, hence one of its common names "oak sedge". It grows in loose colonies and has a creeping habit with its reddish brown roots. It tolerates heavy shade and wet soils though its ideal location is dry shade. This plant is a good lawn substitute but will not tolerate heavy foot traffic. It forms an ideal turf alternative in dry shade areas needing mowing only once or twice a sesaon to maintain a 2" height. Also makes a great underplanting for taller perennials. It is semi-evergreen, dying back under very cold temperatures. Idenfitification of individual sedge (Carex) species can be difficult.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Smut, rust, and leaf spot, are occasional problems along with aphids, Anthracnose, Fungus gnat larvae.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Entryway Garden, Cabarrus County Extension Office
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- pensylvanica
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central & E. Canada to N. Central & E. U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports various Satyr larvae.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from May to June.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Flowers bloom from April to May. Plants are monoecious, male flowers appear in spiklets above the female flowers. Inflorescences are at the tip of rough, triangular stems. Staminate scales are green with reddish-purple with white margins. Pistillate scales are dark brown to purple-black with green midribs and white margins.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Heavy Shade
- Insect Pests
- Wet Soil
