Pennsylvania Sedge
Pennsylvania Sedge is a popular lawn alternative for home landscaping, with fine textured leaves and a creeping habit. Reaching heights of only 8" when in bloom, Carex pensylvanica grows actively in spring and fall when soil temperatures are cooler …
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
---|---|
Soil Moisture | Dry, Medium |
Sun Exposure | Partial, Shade |
Height | 6" - 1' |
Bloom Color | Green |
Bloom Time | Apr, May, June |
Spacing | 1' |
Hardiness Zones | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
Root Type | Rhizome |
Benefits | Deer Resistant |
Pennsylvania Sedge is a delicate arching sedge, with narrow grass-like leaves growing in clumps up to eight inches high. This sedge has a creeping habit with long rhizomes that form loose colonies. Like so many sedges, Pennsylvania Sedge grows actively during spring and fall when soil temps are cooler. The flowers appear in spring, atop thin rigid stems that rise only slightly above the height of the emerging leaves. The creamy white flower spikes are somewhat showy, and stand out against the brown leaves of the woodland floor.
Natural Habitat and Best Conditions
Found growing in forested areas throughout the eastern U.S., Pennsylvania Sedge is strongly asscociated with oak forests and drier soils. It grows best in partial shade, but can tolerate full shade. It will tolerant occasionally wet soil, but a well drained site is required. Pennsylvania Sedge does not like clay or compacted soils.
Best Landscape Uses
A popular lawn alternative for home landscaping, this graceful sedge is great lawn substitute in shade and partial shade, though it will not tolerate heavy foot traffic. To create a Pennsylvania Sedge lawn, install the transplants one foot apart (on center). The plants will fill-in to form a dense, low growing groundcover that doesn't need mowing. While it is commonly planted as a groundcover, the finest use of Pennsylvania Sedge may be as a component in the mixed understory planting, or shade garden, where it’s soft simple texture will complement and intermingle with a wide range of native perennials.
Great Companions for Pennsylvania Sedge
Columbine, Wild Blue Phlox, Plantain Leaved Sedge, Wild Geranium, Wild Strawberry, White Woodland Aster, Big Leaf Aster, White Dolls Eyes, Early Meadowrue, Bellwort
Moving Transplanting
Pennsylvania Sedge spreads mainly from rhizome and the small starts are easily transplantable. Growing this sedge from seed is very difficult. It can self-seed in ideal growing conditions, but seeds are very slow to germinate.
Other Names
Oak Sedge