Semi-Evergreen Perennial Clump-Forming, Slow-Spreading in the Cyperaceae Family
Buy Spreading Sedge
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A compact woodland native that forms slowly spreading clumps of arching, blue-green foliage in rich, shady sites.
Carex laxiculmis (Spreading Sedge, also called Creeping Sedge) is a native North American woodland sedge forming compact clumps of arching, semi-evergreen blue-green foliage, gradually spreading into small colonies by short underground rhizomes. Greenish-white to yellow flower spikes appear from April into early summer. Found naturally in rich woods, moist stream banks, and swamp margins, often on calcareous soil, it prefers bright shade but will tolerate some part sun if the soil stays consistently moist. Its slow-spreading, clump-forming habit and attractive foliage make it a useful groundcover for shaded woodland gardens.
Slowly naturalizes into small colonies without becoming aggressive
Deer resistant native woodland sedge
Tolerates rich, calcareous soils as well as average woodland soil
Cons
Requires consistently moist soil, especially if given more sun
Slow to establish and fill in as a groundcover
Inconspicuous flowers offer little seasonal color
Why Like
Carex laxiculmis is a native woodland sedge that provides attractive, well-behaved groundcover and structure in rich, moist woods and along stream banks, without the aggressive spread of some other Carex species.
Highlights
Attractive arching, blue-green foliage that is semi-evergreen in mild winters
Slow, well-behaved spread by short rhizomes rather than aggressive colonizing
Valuable groundcover for rich, moist woodland gardens
Plant Data
Mature Size
8 - 14 inches
tall. 10 - 18 inches
wide.
Sun Exposure
Full Shade - Partial Shade
Moisture Tolerance
Medium - Wet: Prefers consistently moist to wet soil; tolerates more sun only if soil moisture remains consistent.
Zones
5a - 9b
(Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags
Deer Resistant, Full Shade, Grasses, Groundcover, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Shade, Perennial, Shade Tolerant, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
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.
Estimated Recipe Cost
The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.
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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.
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