Carex pansa

Among the most popular sedges for creating an alternative lawn, Carex pansa forms little clumps and forming a wild meadow. Looks best unmowed with water twice per month (but a trimming with weed whacker two to three times iper year can keep it thicker and more tidy). Grows to 12" tall with a floppy habit. Tolerates both winter inundation and summer drought. Turns a buff color in the summer if it receives no irrigation or subsurface moisture. It is at home with sandy soil but will do fine in any type of soil. Mixes well with robust perennials in a meadow garden. Native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. Good for stabilizing a bare hillside. Songbirds enjoy the seeds. Many species of Carex were used in basket weaving by native Californians. Found in coastal, sand dune swales and meadows immediately beyond the shore. Communitites located in Coastal Strand Between 0 and 32 feet.

A native sedge well suited for use in natural garden meadows or in traditional gardens in lieu of lawn grass. Plants form dense colonies of rich green foliage that grows to no more than 6? tall in sun or shade. In his Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses, Rick Darke aptly describes meadow sedge as having a ?tousled appearance?, and the narrow blades do indeed curl somewhat at the tips. Tolerant of a wide range of conditions and activities, meadow sedge will take occasional mowing, moderate traffic, tree root competition, drought and heavy soil. For optimal growth plant in well-drained soils with regular to moderate water in full sun. Plants are summer dormant without supplemental watering. Hardy to 10F. California to Washington.

A native to the Californian Pacific Coast, this low maintenance species is said to be an excellent substitute for lawn turf. It’s not aggressive, but it does spread by rhizomes, & it can be mowed. It is also described as very tolerant of traffic & diverse soil types including both sand & clay. Growing just 4-6” unmowed, it’s the perfect foundational plant for creating your own native meadow. Drought tolerant & evergreen, it will tolerate light shade but will look better in more sun.