{"id":14260,"date":"2023-07-18T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatgrowsthere.com\/grow\/?p=14260"},"modified":"2023-07-18T18:05:20","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T22:05:20","slug":"2023-carex-evaluation-from-mt-cuba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatgrowsthere.com\/grow\/2023\/07\/18\/2023-carex-evaluation-from-mt-cuba\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Carex Evaluation From Mt Cuba"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The native plant research team at Mt Cuba Center in Hockessin, DE has recently published the results of a 3-year Carex (sedge) study in which they evaluated 70 species and cultivars. The study included a number of under-planted Carex species and varieties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One grouping was grown in full sun and a second planting was tested under 60% shade cloth. Sedges were grown in clay soil that had a high moisture retention and high moisture retention. The study determined the optimum environment for each variety. Ratings took into account many factors including habit, floral display, disease resistance, hardiness, and foliage quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a separate one-year study, sedges were evaluated as a sustainable alternative in lawn and turfgrass areas. Some were mowed or others not. Some low-growing species needed mowing only one or twice annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cherokee sedge (C. cherokeensis<\/em>) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Carex varieties that grew much like traditional grass and could be mowed for improved aesthetics and foot traffic included:\u00a0Carex woodii<\/em>\u00a0(Wood’s sedge),\u00a0Carex eburnea<\/em>\u00a0(bristle-leaf sedge),\u00a0Carex socialis<\/em>\u00a0(low woodland sedge),\u00a0Carex pensylvanica<\/em>\u00a0(Pennsylvania sedge), and\u00a0Carex jamesii<\/em>\u00a0(James’ sedge).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An underutilized species, Wood’s sedge (C. woodii<\/em>) was the top performer in the entire study. Wood’s is similar to the popular\u00a0C. pensylvanica<\/em>\u00a0also with a low-growing slow-spreading habit. Wood’s sedge is superior to\u00a0C. pensylvanica\u00a0<\/em>from both garden utility and ornamental standpoints. Wood\u2019s sedge forms a denser mat of foliage than\u00a0C. pensylvanica<\/em>\u00a0and is better at suppressing weeds. Wood’s fine-textured foliage emerges an attractive blue-green hue in spring, changing to green in late spring and summer. A bonus eye-catching feature is a carpet of straw-colored flowers provides the perfect complement to other spring wildflowers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wood\u2019s sedge is found in forests in the midwestern and eastern U.S. and performs equally well in both shade and sun. It\u00a0was a top performer in the mowing evaluation, developing an attractive dense mat, and could be a suitable lawn substitute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mt. Cuba\u2019s Top-Performing Carex:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n