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Writer's pictureKimberly Simmen

Native Plant of the Week: Rosy Sedge

Family: Cyperaceae


Name: Carex rosea


'Bloom' Time: May


'Flower': Spikelet


Soil Condition: Wet, moist, adaptable


Light: Partial shade, shade


Height: 12" tall by 12"-18" wide


Native Range: Eastern North America including LI


Zone: 4-8



Rosy sedge is fantastic alternative to non-native liriope (Liriope muscari) and mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus). The delicate arching foliage is a great accent texture in a shady spot. It may be used as a substitute or an alternative for oak sedge (Carex pensylvanica) as the habit is very similar.

Maintenance: You may opt to cut back the spent foliage before the new shoots emerge (early spring) but it is not necessary. Leaving the spent foliage will create a natural weed barrier. It is semi-evergreen.


Benefits: Deer resistant. Great lawn substitute for shady spots. Drought tolerant. Tolerates light foot traffic.


Fun Facts: Rosy sedge gets its name from the tiny pink coiled stigmas at the top of its 'flower'. The 'flower' on a sedge is called a perigynia.


Companion Plants: Heuchera americana (coral bells), Iris cristata (dwarf crested iris), Phlox divaricata (woodland phlox), ferns, Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot)


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