Carex pensylvanica

The Carex pensylvanica, also known as Pennsylvania Sedge, is native to eastern Canada and the United States. It forms a low tuft of flexible, evergreen foliage, and blooms with discreet brown spikelets. This Carex thrives in partial shade in ordinary, moist to wet, well-drained soil. However, it tolerates and adapts to dry shade. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative to grass in a lightly trodden and minimally mowed area, in the shade, where grass fails to grow, or in areas of the garden that are rarely or never mowed.

The Carex pensylvanica belongs to the Cyperaceae family. In its natural habitat, it grows in thickets and dry woodland areas in eastern and central North America, from Quebec to Manitoba. This rhizomatous perennial plant, resembling grasses, has a running growth habit and a trailing habit. It forms a slightly loose tuft, reaching 30 cm in height if not mowed. Its leaves, evergreen in winter, sheathing at the base, are long, slender (4 to 8 mm wide), linear with pointed edges, and slightly trailing. They are green in color. In spring, in April-May depending on the climate, inconspicuous brown spikes appear on the floral stems. The plant is monoecious (male spikelets above female flowers). This carex does not tolerate heavy foot traffic. It can tolerate 2 to 3 mowings per year, or you can choose not to mow it at all.

Carex pensylvanica particularly thrives in any type of moist to wet, partial shade area, but it tolerates drought and shade. In full sun, the soil must remain consistently moist. It is a low-maintenance ground cover in areas of the garden with minimal foot traffic. It helps suppress weed growth. It can also be planted under shade perennials. Like grass, it struggles to grow during dry summers. In spring, it is one of the first plants to resume growth.