Pennsylvania Sedge Carex pensylvanica

Other Common Name(s):

Description

Pennsylvania sedge is native to thickets and dry woodland areas in North America. It is commonly found near oak trees, hence on of its common names "oak sedge". It grows in loose colonies and has a creeping habit with its reddish brown roots. Tolerates heavy shade and wet soils though its ideal location is dry shade. 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) speices can be difficult.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Smut, rust, and leaf spot, are occasional problems. No serious insect or disease problems.

Cultivars / Varieties:

Tags:

#rain garden #heavy shade #rush #sedge #lawn alternative #wet sites #cpp #dry soil tolerant

Carex pensylvanica — Per Verdonk CC BY-NC 2.0

Cultivars / Varieties:

Tags:

#rain garden #heavy shade #rush #sedge #lawn alternative #wet sites #cpp #dry soil tolerant

Attributes:
Genus:

Carex

Species:

pensylvanica

Country Or Region Of Origin:

United States, Canada

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Ground Cover

Native Plant

Perennial

Leaf Characteristics:

Semi-evergreen

Habit/Form:

Clumping

Creeping

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)

NC Region:

Mountains

Piedmont

Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:

3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Fruit:
Fruit Type:

Achene

Flowers:
Flower Color:

Green

Flower Inflorescence:

Insignificant

Flower Bloom Time:

Spring

Flower Description:

Flowers bloom in 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.