Native Plant Trust

Carex swanii

Swan's sedge


Swan's sedge is an elegant, clump-forming sedge for dry shady plantings. It's fine foliage texture and flower and seed heads create interest and mix well with just about anything. Evergreen leaves lend interest in winter.

Click on these links to read in detail:  General Description | Benefits | Ecology | References


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


Bloom Color: Green

Characteristics & Attributes

Cultivation Status
Species
Exposure
Sun
Part Shade
Shade
Soil Moisture
Dry
Average
Ecoregion
(83) Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands
(59) Northeastern Coastal Zone
(84) Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens
(82) Acadian Plains and Hills
(58) Northeastern Highlands
Ornamental Interest
Spring Bloom
Winter Interest and/or Evergreen
Attracts Wildlife
Host Plant
Tolerance
Urban Environment
Drought Tolerant
Deer/Rabbit Resistant
Additional Attributes
Low Maintenance
Landscape Use
Naturalize
Groundcover
Growth Habit
Compact/Clumping


North American Distribution


General Description

Bloom Description: June-July, green inflorescence.

Growth Habit & Shape: Clumping.

Soil Preferences: Average to moist, well-drained. Sandy to loamy.

Root Description: Fibrous.

Garden Uses: Shade gardens, shaded woodlands, forest edges, and part-shade borders.

Best Management & Maintenance:

Common Problems: None.

Benefits

Ornamental Value: Fine texture looks nice in large swaths or as a gap filler in bed.

Wildlife Benefits: Sedges in general host a variety of species of insects. Some birds, like the Eastern towhee, will eat the seeds.

Other Practical/Environmental Benefits: Deer resistant.

Use in place of:

Ecology

Habitat:
In New England Carex swanii is typically found in dry upland woods, woodland edges, meadows, and rock outcrops. They an open canopy.


Response to Disturbance: Does not do well in drought conditions.

Native State Distributions:
Canada: N.B., N.S., Ont., Que
USA: AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV


Wetland indicator status: FACU

Companion Plants:
Eurybia divaricata (White wood aster), Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen), Phlox stolonifera (Creeping woodland phlox), Solidago bicolor (White goldenrod), Solidago caesia (Blue-stemmed goldenrod).

References

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Uli Lorimer (c) Uli Lorimer
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Uli Lorimer (c) Uli Lorimer