Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Kristine Paulus

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

Show all photos

Carex pensylvanica

Also Known As

Common Oak Sedge
Pennsylvania Sedge

Plant type

perennial, groundcover, grass / grass like

size

H: 6"-18"
W: 24"

planting zones

3a-7b

More Options

Carex pensylvanica plant details

Carex pensylvanica is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial groundcover grass (or grassy in appearance) with green foliage. In spring chocolate flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with bright shade - shade and regular water. Does well in gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Carex pensylvanica

Plant type: perennial groundcover grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: cyperaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 24 IN wide, 6 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: chocolate blooms in spring
Uses: woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Carex pensylvanica

USDA Zones: 3a - 7b
Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

With its tough disposition and spreading habit, this native grass makes an excellent shade groundcover. Fine texture and fountaining habit give this sedge a soft appearance that is lovely as an underplanting for bolder shade perennials or on its own as a shade lawn.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Fine textured leaves and a creeping habit make this a great lawn alternative for dry soils in shade. Planted one foot on center, it will fill in to form a dense low growing turf that never needs mowing. Requires a well-drained soil, in light to full shade. Zones 3 - 7.