Eastern Star Sedge (Carex radiata)
KARE-ex rad-ee-AY-

Deciduous Perennial Clump-Forming, Mat-Forming in the Cyperaceae Family
 
Buy Eastern Star Sedge
Size Notes Price Availability
#1 gallon Field $16.31 Likely available
11/1 - 11/8
1/24 - 4/4
18 Flat Field $128.34 Likely available
11/1 - 11/8
1/24 - 4/4
Tray of 10 4" pots Field $75.95 Likely available
11/1 - 11/8
1/24 - 4/4

Fine, dark green foliage forms dense, adaptable clumps 1-2ft tall. Thrives in part sun to shade and moist woodland soil; a reliable groundcover with distinctive star-shaped seed clusters.

Carex radiata is a native North American woodland sedge that forms low-growing, spreading mats. Growing 6-12 inches tall, this species features narrow, green leaf blades and distinctive, star-shaped flower/fruit clusters.

Eastern Star Sedge prefers consistently moist, well-drained soils in partial shade to full shade conditions. It is naturally found in rich, deciduous forests and other shaded, humid habitats.

Pros

  • Adaptable from full sun to full shade
  • Fine-textured, dark green foliage forms a tidy groundcover
  • Distinctive star-shaped flower/fruit clusters add interest
  • Low-maintenance, good weed-suppressing mat former

Cons

  • Best appearance with consistent moisture; less robust if soil dries out
  • Growth and vigor can slow in deep shade
  • Flowers are subtle rather than showy
Why Like Eastern Star Sedge is an adaptable native of rich deciduous woodlands, equally content in dappled light or deeper shade, where its mat-forming habit helps stabilize soil and suppress erosion on the forest floor. Like other native Carex, it provides structural cover for small wildlife and its seed is a food source for birds, while its star-shaped fruiting clusters are a distinctive identification feature among woodland sedges.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 24 inches tall. 12 - 24 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Full Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Full Shade, Full Sun, Grasses, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
Bloom Period April to May
Flower Color Green
Foliage Color
 

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!