New England Wild Flower Society

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Carex platyphylla

broad-leaved sedge (silver sedge)

This lovely, low, unctuously textured sedge brings blue blue-silver clumps to moist or average soils, and can tolerate dry shade once established. We recommend it as an under-utilized groundcover. It benefits from a single clipping in early spring to stimulate freshly colored growth.



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Height: 8-12 in
Spread: 12-18 in
Hardiness Zone: 4-8


Characteristics & Attributes

Cultivation Status
Species
Exposure
Part Shade
Shade
Soil Moisture
Dry
Average
Ecoregion
(84) Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens
(82) Acadian Plains and Hills
(58) Northeastern Highlands
(83) Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands
(59) Northeastern Coastal Zone
Attracts Wildlife
Host Plant
Other Pollinators/Wildlife
Tolerance
Drought Tolerant
Additional Attributes
Low Maintenance
Landscape Use
Naturalize
Specimen
Massing
Growth Habit
Compact/Clumping


North American Distribution


General Description

Bloom Description: Blooms June into August. Green inflorescences are held on long, arching stalks. They are not showy.

Growth Habit & Shape: Carex platyphylla creates a broad mound of foliage.

Soil Preferences: Average to dry, often found in high pH soils.

Root Description: Carex platyphylla has a fibrous root system.

Garden Uses: Shade gardens, dry shade, especially under deciduous trees.

Best Management & Maintenance: Low maintenance. Flower stalks can be cut back for tidier appearance.

Common Problems: None.

Benefits

Ornamental Value: The broad, bluish leaves of this sedge add interest to just about any shady garden bed. Provides visual interest in shady spots when few things are blooming.

Wildlife Benefits: Various insects feed on the foliage of sedges (Carex spp.). Broadleaf sedge in particular hosts species of Satyr larvae.

Other Practical/Environmental Benefits:

Use in place of: Miniature hostas.

Ecology

Habitat:
Carex platyphylla inhabits deciduous forests, often on high pH bedrock.


Response to Disturbance: Drought tolerant.

Native State Distributions:
Canada: CAN: MB, NB, ON, QC, SKU
USA: AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV


Wetland indicator status: Not classified.

Companion Plants:
Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera), foam-flower (Tiarella cordifolia), white wood-aster (Eurybia divaricata)

References

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broad-leaved sedge - Carex platyphylla from Native Plant Trust