Carex laxiculmis

Common Names

Spreading Sedge, Creeping Sedge, Blue Wood Sedge, Loose-Culmed Sedge, Glaucous Woodland Sedge

Summary

Carex laxiculmis, commonly called Spreading Sedge, is native to Canada and the central and southeastern United States, it is an evergreen sedge forming dense, rounded clumps of blue-green, narrow, arching leaves up to 12 inches long, growing about 6-12 inches tall and wide, in late spring to early summer inconspicuous creamy-white flowers appear on triangular flowering stems, giving a subtle bloom, it is deer resistant and suitable as an accent or ground cover in moist woodland gardens, shaded perennial beds or containers, preferring part shade to full shade in medium to wet soils that should not dry out, it tolerates moist conditions and slowly spreads by short rhizomes to form a natural ground cover, maintenance is low, foliage can be cut to the ground in late winter and plants can be propagated by division or seed, it is commonly used as a ground cover or edging for borders, woodland gardens, near ponds or streams, and in container plantings, offering a deer-resistant, native option for shaded landscapes

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-12 inches

Spread

6-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Partial Shade to Full Shade; tolerates Partial Sun.

Soil Type

Moist soils

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained (moisture-retentive) soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Blue-green

Fall Foliage Color

Blue-Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Slow to colonize

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Rhizome propagation

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds and butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, or other pollinators as attractants.