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Fothergilla gardenii Witch Alder
Fothergilla gardenii (Witch Alder). Photo © Mary Free
You are here: Home / Plants / Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic / Grasses & Sedges / Carex plantaginea
(Plantain-leaved Sedge)

Carex plantaginea
(Plantain-leaved Sedge)

Carex plantaginea (Plantain-leaved Sedge) in February
Carex plantaginea (Plantain-leaved Sedge) inflorescences.
Carex plantaginea (Plantain-leaved Sedge) fruit.
Carex plantaginea with new leaves
Carex plantaginea (Plantain-leaved Sedge) in landscape in June.
Carex plantaginea in landscape - June

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The most ornamental of the woodland sedges, this species, sometimes referred to as Seersucker Sedge, is generally found in rich mountain woodlands.* In the garden it can fill many roles, substituting for popular non-native plants and even tolerating difficult dry shaded sites. Grass / Sedge Plant & Inflorescences Height: 1⁄2–1 foot Spread: 1–2 feet Bloom Color: Maroon and green Characteristics Evergreen perennial clump-forming sedge Broad, strap-like lime green leaves with three prominent veins and a puckered surface Maroon and green striped two-foot culms bear purplish staminate and pistillate spikelets in Mar Achene fruit matures by mid-summer Spreads slowly from short rhizomes Attributes Tolerates rocky or alkaline soil and dry shade No serious pests or diseases Deer rarely damage Winter interest Larval host for butterflies; birds eat seeds Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Rich, fertile soil Hosta - Hosta Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Shade Liriope muscari - Lilyturf Water Requirements: Moist Ophiopogon japonicus - Mondo Grass Cut back in late winter before new growth begins Propagate by dividing established clumps Use as a ground cover, to control erosion on shady slopes, as a woodland trail border, or massed with other shade garden plants *In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to northern and western PA. In MD, it is found only in Montgomery and Garrett Counties. In VA, it is rare in the Piedmont (except for Fairfax and Loudoun Counties) and infrequent in the mountains. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, National Arboretum and private garden, Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Carex plantaginea (Plantain-leaved Sedge)

The most ornamental of the woodland sedges, this species, sometimes referred to as Seersucker Sedge, is generally found in rich mountain woodlands.* In the garden it can fill many roles, substituting for popular non-native plants and even tolerating difficult dry shaded sites.

*In the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is native to northern and western PA. In MD, it is found only in Montgomery and Garrett Counties. In VA, it is rare in the Piedmont (except for Fairfax and Loudoun Counties) and infrequent in the mountains.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets