Plants in genus carex
Carex muskingumensis
Carex muskingumensis, known as Muskingum sedge, is native to the Midwestern United States and thrives in wet areas like swamps and low woods. This conservative species is found in areas with intact native vegetation and features stems that resemble miniature palm trees. It loves moisture and is a great choice for rain gardens or wetland areas.
Carex platyphylla
Carex platyphylla is a native ornamental grass found in forests from southeast Canada to the eastern United States. It features powder blue, pleated leaves and is deer-resistant. This plant tolerates deep shade and drought, making it ideal for woodland gardens.
Carex divulsa
Carex divulsa is an evergreen sedge native to various regions, including Europe and northwest Africa. It forms a lush mop-top clump of narrow green foliage, growing up to 15 inches tall and 30 inches wide. This adaptable plant thrives in both moist shade and dry sun, producing tiny bronze flower stalks in late April.
Carex pendula
Carex pendula is a large sedge native to Europe, Africa, and parts of the Middle East, known for its preference for damp, heavy clay soils. It grows up to 7.9 feet tall, with smooth, triangular stems and yellowish-green leaves. This moisture-loving sedge produces long, drooping flower spikes from May to June, making it a striking addition to wetland or woodland gardens.
Carex texensis
Carex texensis is a native grass found in dry meadows and open woodlands across the eastern, central, and southern United States. It forms a 5-inch tall clump of narrow, wispy foliage and can spread up to 30 inches, making it a suitable lawn substitute for low traffic areas.
Carex comans
Carex comans is an ornamental plant endemic to New Zealand, growing in clumps of bluish-green leaves with chocolate-colored sedge. It reaches a height of 25-35 centimeters and features delicate, wispy foliage that curls at the ends, adding texture to gardens.
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' is an evergreen ornamental grass native to Japan, known for its fountain-like form and striking bi-color leaves of sandy gold with dark green edges. This perennial is deer-resistant and thrives in USDA zones 5-10, preferring dappled sunlight or light shade. It grows 10-16 inches tall and wide, making it suitable for woodland borders, near water features, or mass plantings in gardens. Its dramatic weeping habit and low-maintenance nature make it a popular choice for various landscapes.
Carex radiata
Carex radiata is a narrow-leaf, evergreen sedge native to North America, from Canada to Alabama. It grows on moist sloping sites in light, open shade and forms ornamental mounds of yellowish-green foliage. This sedge is known for its showy flowers and is a great choice for adding texture to shaded gardens.
Carex ornithopoda
Carex ornithopoda, known as the bird's foot sedge, is native to Europe and Anatolia. It features narrow green leaves and is best used in mass plantings or as a rock garden specimen. A variegated cultivar is available for ornamental use.
Carex plantaginea
Carex plantaginea is a tuft-forming perennial with glossy green, seer-suckered foliage. It adds textural contrast to moist woodland gardens and is more evergreen in southern regions. This plant is tardily deciduous further north and thrives in shaded areas.
Carex bromoides
Carex bromoides is an evergreen sedge native to eastern North America, thriving in wooded wetland habitats. It prefers moist to mucky wet soil and serves as a food source for various wildlife.
Carex phyllocephala
Carex phyllocephala, native to southern China and introduced to Japan, is an evergreen plant known for its palm tree-like tuft of whorled foliage. The variegated cultivar 'Sparkler' is particularly popular, featuring striking green and white leaves. This plant prefers slightly moist soils and can thrive in both sun and shade, making it a versatile choice for gardens. Its unique appearance and adaptability make it a favorite among gardeners looking to add texture and interest to their landscapes. Carex phyllocephala is also appreciated for its ability to resist rabbits, adding to its appeal as a low-maintenance ornamental grass.
Carex appalachica
Carex appalachica is a native sedge of eastern North America, thriving in dry woodlands and slopes. It forms narrow, weeping clumps and is deer-resistant, making it suitable for shady gardens or as a lawn alternative.
Carex siderosticta
Carex siderosticta is a species of sedge native to East Asia, known for its green-and-white edged leaves. This plant spreads slowly and non-aggressively, forming a 6-inch tall groundcover. Carex siderosticta is deer-resistant and suitable for moist or average garden soils, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings. Its unique foliage brightens spring woodland gardens, creating a solid, non-weedy mat that adds interest to shaded areas.
Carex flacca
Carex flacca is a durable sedge with narrow grey-blue leaves, often used as a groundcover. Native to Europe and North Africa, it thrives in grasslands and salt marshes and has naturalized in eastern North America. This plant is valued for its ornamental qualities and its use in drought-tolerant landscaping.
Carex oshimensis 'Everest'
Carex oshimensis 'Everest' is an ornamental grass with white and green variegated foliage and a naturally mounding habit. It grows to about 18 inches tall and wide, is hardy in zones 5-9, and prefers part shade to shade with moist, well-drained soil. This deer-resistant plant adds texture to gardens.
Carex leavenworthii
Carex leavenworthii is a native sedge from Canada to Texas, forming tight clumps up to 6 inches tall and 2 feet wide. It features narrow, dark green foliage and is drought-tolerant, making it a great no-mow lawn substitute. This plant does not spread by runners but can seed, providing a low-maintenance ground cover.
Carex oshimensis 'Everglow'
Carex oshimensis 'Everglow' is a ground cover and container plant with bright golden foliage and a hint of orange. It forms a neat mound and is low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for gardens. This plant is cold hardy and thrives in a variety of conditions.
Carex picta
Carex picta is a dioecious sedge native to North America, forming evergreen, tight-clumping tussocks. It grows 8 inches tall and 20 inches wide, with showy male selections that produce floral displays in early March. This plant is easy to grow in typical garden soils and is suitable for woodland slopes.
Carex oshimensis 'Eversheen'
Carex oshimensis 'Eversheen' is a superb ground cover and container plant with lime-yellow striped foliage. It forms a neat, easily controlled mound and is cold-hardy, making it a versatile accent plant. This evergreen, weeping clump is easy to grow and low maintenance.
Carex cherokeensis
Carex cherokeensis is a native sedge found from Missouri to North Carolina and south to Florida. It grows in a wide range of conditions, forming clumps about 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide. This plant features evergreen foliage and is topped with wispy flower spikes in late spring. It is adaptable to average garden soils and is a valuable addition to rain gardens and naturalized areas.
Carex oshimensis 'Everillo'
Carex oshimensis 'Everillo' is a striking ornamental grass with brilliant lime-green foliage that matures to a golden hue. It has a naturally mounding habit and grows to a mature size of 12-18 inches tall and wide. This plant is hardy in zones 5-9 and thrives in part sun to shade, requiring regular watering until established.
Carex flaccosperma
Carex flaccosperma, or blue wood sedge, is native to the south-central and southeastern US. It thrives in wet, shady environments and is deer resistant. This sedge is ideal for rain gardens and moist woodland settings, featuring wide blue-grey evergreen foliage.
Carex buchananii
Carex buchananii, also known as Leatherleaf dead sedge, is a reddish-brown, densely tufted sedge endemic to New Zealand. It forms a tight, evergreen clump of fine-textured bronzy foliage and grows well in moist habitats. This plant is considered 'At Risk - Declining' in New Zealand but has become naturalized and invasive in the UK.
Carex annectens
Carex annectens, also known as yellow-fruited fox sedge, is a native North American sedge found in wetlands and damp areas. It forms dense clumps of narrow green foliage and features long leaves that surpass the height of its flowering stems. The plant produces yellowish-tan plumes that are visually striking and provide valuable seed heads for songbirds and waterfowl. This sedge is common in prairies and high-water table fields, making it a versatile choice for naturalistic landscapes.
Carex oshimensis 'Everoro'
Carex oshimensis 'Everoro' is a striking ornamental grass with variegated neon yellow and green foliage. It grows best in part shade to full shade and prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil. This plant is perfect for adding a pop of color to shaded garden areas.
Carex haydenii
Carex haydenii is a native sedge found in wet, shady areas of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It forms a 3-foot tall clump and is recommended for rain gardens due to its tolerance of short-term flooding.
Carex montana
Carex montana, also known as mountain or soft-leaved sedge, is a small green leaf sedge that forms an attractive clump. It is suitable for rock gardens or woodland settings and is tolerant of alkaline soils. This plant is common in Europe and Central Russia and can withstand temperatures down to -23°C.
Carex digitata
Carex digitata, commonly known as finger sedge, is a dwarf sedge native to Europe and western Asia. It forms attractive clumps of dark green foliage and is typically found in shady, deciduous forests. This plant is well-suited for gardens that mimic its natural habitat, providing a lush, green ground cover.
Carex eburnea
Carex eburnea is a small, slender sedge native to North America, forming clumps of soft green, needle-like foliage. It prefers sandy or gravelly soil and is drought-tolerant, making it ideal for rock gardens.