Summary

Carex is a large genus of grass-like perennials that are found in nearly all corners of the planet. Eastern North America alone hosts hundreds of species, although relatively few of these are available commercially. The genus Carex belongs to the Cyperaceae plant family. Members of this family are commonly referred to as sedges. Sedges may resemble plants in other families such as the Poaceae (grasses), but Carex have specific anatomical features such as triangular stems and unisexual flowers that set them apart.

The diversity of Carex matches the wide spectrum of habitats in which they grow, from shaded wetlands to coastal sand dunes and almost everything in between. In the garden, some Carex species are surprisingly adaptable to conditions outside of their typical wild preferences. Carex may be planted en masse to cover ground, stabilize soil, and suppress weeds, and some species are so striking that they can be used as individual specimens and accents. In a typical cultivated landscape, Carex are low maintenance, requiring a late winter or early spring cutback, but many species thrive even without this level of care.

Mt. Cuba Center’s four-year Carex trial evaluated the horticultural qualities, vigor, and adaptability of 70 different Carex species and cultivars. Plants were grown in shade and sun in average garden soil. In the final year of the trial, response to biweekly mowing was recorded to assess potential as a lawn substitute.

Click here to view the research report or scroll down for detailed descriptions about each plant in the trial (top performers plus all other plants tested) in alphabetical order.

Download this sortable Excel spreadsheet with information about each species and cultivar in the Carex trial. Size, plant form, bloom time, texture, sun, and soil moisture preferences are among the characteristics that can be sorted using the filter function.

Download Excel Sheet