Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge)

Carex pensylvanica, also called Pennsylvania sedge, is a finely textured perennial sedge native to eastern and central North America; noted for its low growth profile, slow spread, and tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions, Pennsylvania sedge is also somewhat tolerant of foot traffic, making it a great choice as a groundcover or lawn alternative in locations that have too much shade for common grasses. Although individual plants grow to only about 8" tall, Pennsylvania sedge is capable of spreading to form carpets of lush grassy foliage up to 4-5' wide in only a few seasons. Carex pensylvanica's versatility in the landscape also led to its status as a Top Performer in the Mt. Cuba Center trial gardens for Carex for the Mid-Atlantic region, scoring a 4.3 and 4.2 respectively for shade and sun performance. 

Carex pennsylvania typically grows in small clumps of fine, grass-like foliage that is semi-evergreen or evergreen in most climates. Its low profile and slow-spreading nature make a great choice for underplanting larger shrubs and for container growing, though it can also be massed together for beds 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.