10 Popular Sedges For Ornamental Garden Use

Carex species are perennials. They are easily confused by beginners with ornamental grasses because their foliage is very grass-like. But stems of the true grasses are typically hollow, and their shape is either flat or rounded. Sedge stems, by contrast, are solid, and they are triangular in shape. If you wish to put this identification aid to a touch test, be sure to feel the stem (the part of the plant closest to the ground), not the leaf. Sedge plants are generally great plants for areas with wet soil. Here are 10 of the most popular true sedge species.

Native Area: China USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 10 Height: 1 foot Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade

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Native Area: New ZealandUSDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9Height: 2 to 3 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Native Area: Western EurasiaUSDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Height: 1.5 to 2.5 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade

Native Area: East AsiaUSDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Height: 1 footSun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade

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Native Area: Southern Europe and North AfricaUSDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9Height: 5 to 12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Native Area: JapanUSDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Height: 1.5 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade

Native Area: New ZealandUSDA Growing Zones: 7 to 10Height: 1 to 2 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to partial sun

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Native Area: New ZealandUSDA Growing Zones: 7 to 9Height: 1 to 2 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to partial sun

Native Area: JapanUSDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Height: 12 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to Partial shade

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Native Area: Europe and Central RussiaUSDA Growing Zones: 4 to 10Height: 4 to 8 inchesSun Exposure: Partial shade