Carex socialis (Low Woodland Sedge)

Carex socialis, also called low woodland sedge, is a finely textured perennial sedge native to southeastern North America, from Texas through the midwest and over to North Carolina. Noted for its graceful growth habit, semi-compact size, and tolerance of a variety of harsh conditions, low woodland sedge is works beautifully in more formal plantings for woodland gardens, but works even better for replacing turf-grasses in areas where they can't or won't thrive. Taller than many other turf-replacement sedges, Carex socialis can grow to a mature size of up to 18" tall, but maintains a graceful, draping appearance among its finely textured foliage. Scoring a middling average of only 3.5 in the Mt. Cuba Center trial gardens between sun and shade, low woodland sedge blew other participants out of the water for the high sunlight mowing trial, earning a score of 4.6 out of 5, and earning a place as an excellent lawn replacement candidate.

Carex socialis typically grows in moderate-size clumps of fine, grass-like foliage, occasionally spreading to 2-3' wide over time, adding to its versatility for groundcover plantings in woodland gardens and in container growing, though it can also be massed together for beds, underplanting, and lawn areas. Though its small flowers are pollinated by wind, sedges are an important food source to larval butterflies and moths, with caterpillars living among plants and eating their foliage, as well as a variety of birds that feed on the species' seed in the late summer and fall. As an added benefit, this beautiful, thread-like sedge is tolerant of drought and seasonal flooding, deer and rabbit damage, heavy clay soils, and even light foot traffic.