Spreading Sedge (Carex laxiculmis)
KARE-ex laxiculmis

Semi-Evergreen Perennial Clump-Forming, Slow-Spreading in the Cyperaceae Family
 
Buy Spreading Sedge
Size Notes Price Availability
Tray of 6 #1 gallons Field $74.40 Likely available
1/24 - 4/4

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.

Pros

  • Attractive arching, blue-green semi-evergreen foliage
  • 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
Bloom Period May to June
Flower Color Yellowish-White
 

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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.

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