Carex eburnea - BRISTLE-LEAVED SEDGE

Well behaved, clumping sedge with the finest evergreen leaves.

Very slowly growing into wide groundcovering mats. Great as a lawn substitute in dry shade and other difficult places. Tolerates regular mowing - see the Mt. Cuba trial results.

Blooming Time: May/June (cool season "grass"), insignificant white-greenish flowers

Size: usually 6" to 12" tall and wide, it spreads very slowly into slightly wider, groundcovering clump
USDA Zones: 3 to 8
Culture: half sun in cooler areas with consistent moisture, the best is some shade = half shade, dappled shade to shade, average garden soil to moist. Adaptable to many other soils, including clay, sandy or rocky and other well drained soils. Does grow well in dry shade. Avoid waterlogged soils.
Moisture Needs: average (medium) to medium-dry up to dry (dry shade), medium-moist, moist, moderately drought tolerant once established
Origin: Eastern and central North America, see the BONAP distribution map. It can be found in sloped deciduous woods, from drier sandy or rocky bluffs, rocky outcrops, to riparian or swampy soils. In optimum conditions can grow to large colonies.
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: no
Attracts Hummingbirds: no

Plant combinations: Best in half shade to shade to shade beds, as groundcover in small groups, woodland edges, dry shade and as lawn substitute in difficult spots.

Good companions can be spring ephmerals like Claytonia, Delphinium tricorne, Jeffersonia, Mertensia, Sanquinaria,Trillium and also spring bulbs! Or plants like Asarum, Dicentra, Epimedium, Geranium maculatum (other common hardy Geraniums,) Helleborus, Heuchera and Heucherella, Hosta, Lathyrus vernus, shorter Polygonatum, Phlox divaricata, Primula, Pulmonaria, Tiarella, smaller Tradescantia, Viola and wider-leaved Carex.

Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" perennial pot

Picture copyright: K M, Flickr