Each year, we highlight one standout group of plants that deserves a little more love in our gardens. Last year, we chose Swida dogwoods as our genus of the year. In 2025, it’s all about Carex.
Often overlooked but endlessly valuable, Carex (also known as sedges) are some of the most versatile, resilient, and ecologically important plants in our native landscapes. With over 150 species in Maine alone, Carex plays a vital role in supporting pollinators, stabilizing soils, and providing structure and texture in a wide range of habitats.
This spring, we’re highlighting two standout species for gardens and restoration projects alike:
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge)
A graceful, fine-textured sedge that thrives in dry shade—perfect for under oaks, along woodland edges, or in low-input lawn alternatives. It spreads gently by rhizomes, creating a soft, low-growing groundcover that stays evergreen in mild winters. Pennsylvania sedge is a host plant for dozens of native moth and butterfly species and is an ideal alternative to turfgrass in shady sites.
Carex albicans (White-tinged Sedge)
This often-overlooked beauty grows in clumps and adapts well to both sun and part shade. Its fine blades and subtle seedheads add quiet elegance to woodland gardens and naturalistic plantings. Like many sedges, it offers critical early-season cover and habitat for ground-nesting insects and small animals, and it blends seamlessly with native ferns, grasses, and wildflowers.
Sedges like Carex pensylvanica and Carex albicans are workhorses—modest in appearance, but deeply functional and ecologically rich. Whether you’re looking to stabilize a slope, soften a shady path, or build better habitat from the ground up, there’s likely a Carex that can help.
What the Research Tells Us: Mt. Cuba Center’s Carex Trial
A recent multi-year trial at Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware—one of the country’s leading native plant research institutions—helped shine a spotlight on the ornamental and ecological value of native sedges. More than 60 Carex species were evaluated for garden performance, habitat value, growth habit, and adaptability across different conditions.
The results were clear: Carex is one of the most versatile and underutilized plant groups in native plant horticulture. The study highlighted species like Carex pensylvanica and Carex albicans as top performers for dry shade and woodland groundcovers—both of which are native to Maine and thrive in our local landscapes.
This research reinforces what many ecological gardeners in the Northeast already know: Carex species are indispensable allies in creating low-maintenance, biodiverse, and climate-resilient gardens.
The Mt. Cuba trial also emphasized:
• The exceptional value of sedges as turf alternatives, especially in low-input or shaded areas.
• The importance of fine-scale species selection—not all Carex are interchangeable, and regional species adapted to your site conditions perform best.
• The power of sedges in layered plant communities, working alongside native wildflowers, ferns, and shrubs to mimic natural ecosystems.
You can explore the full report here: Mt. Cuba Center Carex Trial Results
As we spotlight Carex, we’ll continue building on this research to help gardeners across Maine make informed, locally appropriate plant choices that support both beauty and biodiversity. Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing planting tips, species spotlights, and Carex-friendly garden designs to help you incorporate these unsung heroes into your landscape.
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