Try Adaptable, Shade-Tolerant Sedges for a Grasslike Look
These native ground covers from around the U.S. thrive in shady areas where lawns suffer — and you don’t have to mow them
I know that you have problem areas in your landscape. Maybe you have a slope that rains are eroding and washing away, or a shady area under a tree where nothing will grow. Although I’m not promising a magical cure — or maybe I am — there are highly adaptable native sedge (Carex) species that would jump at the chance to grow in what we consider poor landscapes.
Sedges can serve as a ground layer, or green mulch, that pave the way for other plants in a sustainable, low-maintenance space. They also green up early, before most typical lawns, and stay green late into fall. You don’t have to mow them, but one or two mowings a year will keep taller species in check. So, let’s look at some native sedges that will do well in dry to moist conditions in full to part shade.
Sedges can serve as a ground layer, or green mulch, that pave the way for other plants in a sustainable, low-maintenance space. They also green up early, before most typical lawns, and stay green late into fall. You don’t have to mow them, but one or two mowings a year will keep taller species in check. So, let’s look at some native sedges that will do well in dry to moist conditions in full to part shade.
Sprengel’s Sedge
(Carex sprengelii)
Native from New Mexico north to Montana, the Dakotas and Nebraska, and east into New England
Sprengel’s sedge gets taller than bristleleaf sedge, reaching roughly 2 feet. With its ornamental seed heads, it will elegantly arch and droop just a touch. A massed planting of Sprengel’s sedge is a sight to behold. In shade, it does well in dry soil, while in more sun, it appreciates consistent moisture.
See how to grow Sprengel’s sedge
(Carex sprengelii)
Native from New Mexico north to Montana, the Dakotas and Nebraska, and east into New England
Sprengel’s sedge gets taller than bristleleaf sedge, reaching roughly 2 feet. With its ornamental seed heads, it will elegantly arch and droop just a touch. A massed planting of Sprengel’s sedge is a sight to behold. In shade, it does well in dry soil, while in more sun, it appreciates consistent moisture.
See how to grow Sprengel’s sedge
Pennsylvania Sedge
(Carex pensylvanica)
Native to eastern North America from the Dakotas eastward to Maine in the north and from Arkansas eastward to Georgia in the south; in Canada, native to Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec
Pennsylvania sedge is another stunner for dry shade. I think of it as a workhorse for larger areas where you want green cover to fight weeds and unsightly erosion but don’t know how to do it. It will reach about 6 to 12 inches tall, depending on soil moisture and fertility. Over time, it will create a dense carpet as it spreads by rhizomes.
This sedge tends not to like heavy clay — a loam or clay loam may work, and silty loam or even sand will definitely be successful. Learn your garden’s soil type.
See how to grow Pennsylvania sedge
(Carex pensylvanica)
Native to eastern North America from the Dakotas eastward to Maine in the north and from Arkansas eastward to Georgia in the south; in Canada, native to Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec
Pennsylvania sedge is another stunner for dry shade. I think of it as a workhorse for larger areas where you want green cover to fight weeds and unsightly erosion but don’t know how to do it. It will reach about 6 to 12 inches tall, depending on soil moisture and fertility. Over time, it will create a dense carpet as it spreads by rhizomes.
This sedge tends not to like heavy clay — a loam or clay loam may work, and silty loam or even sand will definitely be successful. Learn your garden’s soil type.
See how to grow Pennsylvania sedge
Photo by Matt Lavin
Shortbeak Sedge
(Carex brevior)
Native in every U.S. state except South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Utah, California and Nevada
I commonly use shortbeak sedge in shady gardens and sunny ones — it’s that adaptable. Shortbeak sedge slowly reseeds itself and will excel as a living green mulch or base layer — the kind you would see in a meadow. Most soil conditions will work, from slightly moist to dry, clay to silty loam to some sand. Generally, shortbeak sedge’s foliage is about 1 foot tall, but it may reach 2 to 3 feet while in bloom and sporting seed heads.
See how to grow shortbeak sedge
Shortbeak Sedge
(Carex brevior)
Native in every U.S. state except South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Utah, California and Nevada
I commonly use shortbeak sedge in shady gardens and sunny ones — it’s that adaptable. Shortbeak sedge slowly reseeds itself and will excel as a living green mulch or base layer — the kind you would see in a meadow. Most soil conditions will work, from slightly moist to dry, clay to silty loam to some sand. Generally, shortbeak sedge’s foliage is about 1 foot tall, but it may reach 2 to 3 feet while in bloom and sporting seed heads.
See how to grow shortbeak sedge
Photo by Matt Lavin
Nebraska Sedge
(Carex nebrascensis)
Native from Washington south to California, and east to Nebraska and the Dakotas
Generally, we’ve been looking at relatively fine-textured sedges, but here’s one with wider leaves more reminiscent of tall warm-season grasses like Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) or switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). The foliage reaches 1 to 3 feet tall, and its seed stalks can double that height while in bloom.
Nebraska sedge prefers moist, if not wet, soil — even standing water in mucky clay. It can thrive at midelevations in arid, sunny conditions as long as its roots remain moist. Although this tends to be a plant for full sun, it does just fine in partial shade.
More: How to Design a Meadow Garden Everyone Will Love
Nebraska Sedge
(Carex nebrascensis)
Native from Washington south to California, and east to Nebraska and the Dakotas
Generally, we’ve been looking at relatively fine-textured sedges, but here’s one with wider leaves more reminiscent of tall warm-season grasses like Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) or switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). The foliage reaches 1 to 3 feet tall, and its seed stalks can double that height while in bloom.
Nebraska sedge prefers moist, if not wet, soil — even standing water in mucky clay. It can thrive at midelevations in arid, sunny conditions as long as its roots remain moist. Although this tends to be a plant for full sun, it does just fine in partial shade.
More: How to Design a Meadow Garden Everyone Will Love
(Carex eburnea)
Native from Montana southeast to Nebraska and Arkansas, and all the way east to the Atlantic, except for Florida
I’m starting with my most recent sedge crush. Why am I in love with bristleleaf sedge? It stays low, less than 6 inches tall, while holding its green through almost all of my Nebraska winter. The foliage is soft and a joy to touch, and it slowly spreads out from the center to create a lovely fine-textured mat. I’ve never watered it, ever. In dry clay in full shade, it’s as happy as can be.
See how to grow bristleleaf sedge