Carex (Sedge)

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• Carex are low-growing plants that look like grasses.
• "Sedges have edges" is a saying to help remember some differences between the two.
• Flowers are generally insignificant, unlike grasses that usually have flowering stalks.
• Soil moisture is key in success; see each variety description.
• ​Extremely useful as ground cover or lawn alternatives.
• Deer resistant

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elata 'Bowles Golden' (aka 'Aurea')

• Best color in full sun with adequate moisture (yellow)
• Tolerates drier conditions in shade (lime green)
• Tolerates shallow water - good along water's edge
• Plant with contrasting blue or deep green foliage like hostas
• 16" H x 18" W

Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Acorus 'Ogon'

Carex 'Ice Dance'

Hakonechloa 'All Gold'

Aruncus aethusifolius

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​morrowii 'Ice Dance'

• Low, slow spreading habit
• May bleach in full sun
• Mix with deep greens, cool violets, blues and pinks
• Good container plant - pictured (paired with 'Raspberry Splash' Pulmonaria and 'Georgia Peach' Heuchera
• 12" H x 18" W

Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Acorus 'Ogon'

Carex 'Bowles Golden'

Carex muskingumensis

Aruncus aethusifolius

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muskingumensis (palm sedge)

• Native!
• Can tolerate some drought
• Can tolerate full sun with adequate moisture
• ​Palm-like foliage
• Good plant for water gardens
• Pairs well with Japanese Sweet Flag (Acorus)
• 2' H x 2' W

Substitution Suggestions

Deschampsia 'Goldtau'

Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'

Chasmanthium latifolium

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pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge)

• ​Montale favorite!
• Native!
• Semi-evergreen and drought tolerant 
• Most effective in masses
• Excellent lawn alternative but will not tolerate foot traffic

• Larval food plant for several species of butterfly  
• Underplanting for shade perennials
• 1' H x 1' W

Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Aruncus aethusifolius

Anemone sylvestris

Brunnera 'Jack Frost'

Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash'

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rosea
​Discontinued from Montale-available while supplies lasts

• Foliage similar to C. pensylvanica
• Native!
• Leaves grow in thick clumps
• Adapts to wet and ​dry
• Rosy seed-heads
• Star-shaped flower spikes in Spring
• Use as specimen for textural contrast
• 2' H x 1' W

Substitution Suggestions

Carex pensylvanica