Carex grayi - GRAY'S SEDGE (MACE SEDGE)
Highly ornamental and well behaved clump sedge that likes moisture, but will do fine in medium moist garden in half shade.
Usually grows to 2' (up to 3' in rich and moist soil) x 1-1.5' wide clumps. Cool season grass (grows actively since early spring), flowers in the shape of 3D star (or medieval weapon), wider coarse and partially evergreen leaves.
Full sun (on moist or wet soil), half shade to light shade. Likes moisture, medium, medium-moist to wet soil, tolerates seasonal flooding. Adaptable to many soil types.
Hardy in zones 3 to 9.
Native to eastern half of USA, see the BONAP distribution map.
Deer and rabbits avoid it, but muskrat can feed on the plants, birds feed on the seeds (Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Wood Duck, American Woodcock, and Swamp Sparrow).can be found in average to higher quality natural habitats, usually close to water bodies, streams, seeps, or in more moist areas, but can be found in mesic deciduous woodlands too.
Host plant for caterpillars of Appalachian Brown Butterfly and several moths.
Good cut flower (fresh or dried).
Great for rain garden, bioswales, bioretention areas, in pond garden or moist places, but goes well with many plants in half/shade garden with perennials like Aconitum, Anemone japonica (A. hupehensis), Aruncus, Brunnera, Chelone lyonii, Euphorbia palustris, Hosta, Iris sibirica, I. virginica, and other moisture loving irises, Lobelias, Monarda hybrids, Physostegia, Phlox paniculata, Rudbeckia fulgida, Sanguisorba, Thalictrum and grasses like Deschampsia, Hakonechloa, Molinia or fine-leaved Carex.
Picture copyright : Agnieszka Kwiecień, Commons Wikipedia
Pot size : square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot
Carex grayi - GRAY'S SEDGE (MACE SEDGE)
Highly ornamental and well behaved clump sedge that likes moisture, but will do fine in medium moist garden in half shade.
Usually grows to 2' (up to 3' in rich and moist soil) x 1-1.5' wide clumps. Cool season grass (grows actively since early spring), flowers in the shape of 3D star (or medieval weapon), wider coarse and partially evergreen leaves.
Full sun (on moist or wet soil), half shade to light shade. Likes moisture, medium, medium-moist to wet soil, tolerates seasonal flooding. Adaptable to many soil types.
Hardy in zones 3 to 9.
Native to eastern half of USA, see the BONAP distribution map.
Deer and rabbits avoid it, but muskrat can feed on the plants, birds feed on the seeds (Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Wood Duck, American Woodcock, and Swamp Sparrow).can be found in average to higher quality natural habitats, usually close to water bodies, streams, seeps, or in more moist areas, but can be found in mesic deciduous woodlands too.
Host plant for caterpillars of Appalachian Brown Butterfly and several moths.
Good cut flower (fresh or dried).
Great for rain garden, bioswales, bioretention areas, in pond garden or moist places, but goes well with many plants in half/shade garden with perennials like Aconitum, Anemone japonica (A. hupehensis), Aruncus, Brunnera, Chelone lyonii, Euphorbia palustris, Hosta, Iris sibirica, I. virginica, and other moisture loving irises, Lobelias, Monarda hybrids, Physostegia, Phlox paniculata, Rudbeckia fulgida, Sanguisorba, Thalictrum and grasses like Deschampsia, Hakonechloa, Molinia or fine-leaved Carex.
Picture copyright : Agnieszka Kwiecień, Commons Wikipedia
Pot size : square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot