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A LITTLE MORE LIFE

Pennsylvania sedge

Carex pensylvanica

Fine native blades provide cover and support butterfly larvae, with seeds for birds and small mammals.

Grassy, fine-textured, clumping plant.
Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0

MAKE IT FEEL AT HOME

A spot to thrive.

Useful for dry woodland shade; it spreads into a soft mat but is not a lawn for heavy foot traffic.

Sunlight
Shade
Soil moisture
Dry soil / Average moisture
Mature size
6–8 in tall · spreading
Season of interest
Spring–fall foliage
Hardiness
USDA zones 3–8
Garden role
A soft, grassy groundcover
Form in bloomManuel · CC BY 2.0

ONE GOOD SWAP

Instead of lilyturf.

Liriope muscari

Try pennsylvania sedge for a soft, grassy groundcover.

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NATIVE TO YOUR PLACE

Find it in your state guide.

Reviewed native coverage. Choose your state to see more alternatives.

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Plant profile & growing information Find a native nursery
Photo credits & licenses

Pennsylvania sedge: Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0
Lilyturf: Manuel · CC BY 2.0

Resized, converted to WebP, and cropped in the layout. Each photo retains its listed license. All photo credits