Wood’s Sedge (Carex woodii)

$5.00

Wood’s Sedge, is an attractive species that does very well in garden settings. It is similar to the popular Carex pensylvanica because they are both low-growing and spread slowly. Mt. Cuba Center found that Wood Sedge was a top performer in the mowing evaluation, where it developed an attractive, dense mat, and could possibly be a good lawn substitute. Collectively, the Carex species are an important food source to many kinds of insects and birds (illinoiswildflowers.info). Plus, it is likely the host plant for 11 species of butterflies and moths (Johnson and Colla, 2023). The seeds are eaten by various gamebirds and songbirds.  

Wood’s Sedge, is an attractive species that does very well in garden settings. It is similar to the popular Carex pensylvanica because they are both low-growing and spread slowly. Mt. Cuba Center found that Wood Sedge was a top performer in the mowing evaluation, where it developed an attractive, dense mat, and could possibly be a good lawn substitute. Collectively, the Carex species are an important food source to many kinds of insects and birds (illinoiswildflowers.info). Plus, it is likely the host plant for 11 species of butterflies and moths (Johnson and Colla, 2023). The seeds are eaten by various gamebirds and songbirds.  

Life Cycle: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Partial-Shade

Soil Moisture: Medium/wet – Medium/dry

Height: 12 inches

Plant Spacing: 12 inches

Bloom Time: April-May

Bloom Color: Green

Advantages: Bird Favorite, Deer Resistant

Host Plant: 11 species of butterflies and moths (Johnson and Colla, 2023)

Beneficial for Endangered or Threatened Species: Possibly Macoun's arctic (Oeneis macounii) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)

Resource: Johnson, Lorraine, and Sheila Colla. A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators: Creating Habitat in the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Upper Midwest. Island Press, 2023

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