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Carex (Sedge)

Back to: Grasses Gallery
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.


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
  • 18"-30" H x 18"-30" W
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Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Acorus 'Ogon'

​flacca 'Blue Zinger' (blue sedge)

  • Slow spreader
  • Shade tolerant
  • Drought tolerant once established
  • Attractive contrast with smooth stones and pebbles
  • Edging plant for paths or walkways
  • 8"-12" H x 12"-18" W
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Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'
Festuca 'Beyond Blue'

​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
  • 8"-12" H x 12"-24" W
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Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Carex flacca 'Blue Zinger'
Carex pensylvanica

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'-3' H x 2'-3' W
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Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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
  • 6-12" H x 6"-12" W
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Substitution Suggestions​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Carex rosea
Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'

rosea

  • New to Montale - Coming this June!
  • Foliage similar to C. pensylvanica
  • 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
  • 8"-12" H x 12" W
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Substitution Suggestions
Carex pensylvanica
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25865 W Ivanhoe Rd.
Wauconda IL 60084
Phone: 847.487.8435