Description

Blue wood sedge grows in attractive clumps and gradually forms small colonies from short underground rhizomes. The narrow leaves are a striking blue-green, glaucous and are often evergreen. (Wondering what glaucous means? Here’s the definition – having a powdery or waxy coating that gives a frosted appearance and tends to rub off.) Insignificant greenish-white scaly flower spikes are followed by brown seed spikes.

Carex are larval host to skipper butterflies, attract butterflies and feed turtles. Who wouldn’t want a turtle in their garden? 😊

Thrives in moist soils, but also does well in average garden soils and will tolerate some drought.

Height: 0.5-1 ft.
Spread: 0.5-1 ft. F
amily: Cyperaceae
Bloom time: May to June
Sun: part shade to full shade
Water: medium to wet
According to Rutgers University, Carex are “rarely damaged” by deer.
Uses: rain garden, ground cover, lawn replacement (light foot traffic)

“Sedges have edges, rushes are round, grasses are hollow, straight to the ground.”

photo credit: North Creek Nurseries