The Main Plant entry for Sedges (Carex)

"Carex is a vast genus of over 1500 species of grassy plants in the family Cyperaceae, commonly known as sedges. Other members of the Cyperaceae family are also called sedges, however those of genus Carex may be called "true" sedges, and it is the most species-rich genus in the family. The study of Carex is known as caricology.

All species of Carex are perennials. They typically have rhizomes, stolons or short rootstocks, but some species grow in tufts (caespitose). The culm – the flower-bearing stalk – is unbranched and usually erect. It is usually distinctly triangular in section.

Most (but not all) sedges are found in wetlands – such as marshes, calcareous fens, bogs and other peatlands, pond and stream banks, riparian zones, and even ditches – where they are often the dominant vegetation."

Taken from wikipedia's page at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C...

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I have kept this plant in pots and in the ground. It is lovely for woodland gardens as well as shady patios. It likes wet feet and does not like to dry out.

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In the horticultural world of gardens and landscapes in the Midwestern & Eastern USA, the great majority of sedges offered at conventional garden centers and nurseries are cultivars of East Asian and New Zealand species. Many of those cultivars have variegated or yellow foliage. However, there is a good number of eastern North American species offered at native plant nurseries that are lovely plants. There are some cultivars, but most are lovely plants in their natural green state. I recommend that horticulturists in eastern or western North America learn more about these species native to their regions or biomes. I've entered a number of these plants info and photos into the Plants Database.

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