Carex texensis

Texas sedge is a native cool-season herbaceous perennial in the carex family (Cyperaceae) that is found throughout the sandy woodlands and savannas in the southeastern and midwestern United States. The species epithet is Latin for “of Texas.”

Plant it in full sun to partial shade in dry to moist soils. While it prefers sand, it will grow in a wide variety of soil types. If it is planted in the full sun in the southeast, make sure it has moist soil. This slow grower has long, fine-textured foliage and colonizes through rhizomes. Drought tolerance comes once established, and it is very heat-tolerant. In late winter and early spring, it will go dormant and turn a straw color. In general, the more moisture it is given, the taller it will grow.

It is a clump-forming perennial with medium green leaves that grow to a maximum height of 12 inches. Use it as an underplanting under large trees and shrubs where traditional turf does not work. It makes an excellent shade-tolerant lawn alternative, and even works in the ever-promblematic dry shade. Texas sedge tolerates light foot traffic, but if it is planted in a high-traffic area, add stepping stones. To maintain it as a turfgrass, mow it on a high setting a few times a year. 

Mass plantings of this sedge look natural in a meadow. Texas Sedge is a good turf substitute for dry to moist shade, colonizing densely by rhizomes. Its fine-textured foliage mixes nicely with other small, shade-loving plants. It can be mowed at a high setting. This plant is resistant to browsing by deer.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.

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