Overview

Carex muskingumensis is a clump forming, tufted herbaceous perennial in the genus Carex, part of the Cyperaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Carex muskingumensis grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. It is low maintenance. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, low maintenance, flower borders and beds, garden edging and wildlife gardens. It is native to Ontario.

About

Carex muskingumensis is a species of sedge known by the common names Muskingum sedge and palm sedge. It is native primarily to the Midwestern United States where it is found in wet areas such as swamps, low woods, and sedge meadows. It is a fairly conservative species, usually being found in areas where native vegetation is intact. It grows to around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, carrying evergreen foliage. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, poorly-drained conditions and west-facing, south-facing and east-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Carex muskingumensis

About the genus

Carex is a vast genus of over 2,000 species of grass-like plants in the family Cyperaceae, commonly known as sedges. Other members of the family Cyperaceae are also called sedges; however, those of genus Carex may be called true sedges. Carex is the most species-rich genus in the family.

Wikipedia contributors, "Carex", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Carex

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Carex

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained

Aspect

West-facing, South-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Carex muskingumensis size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Clump forming, Tufted

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

0.5-1 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

2-5 years

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging, Wildlife gardens

Native to

Ontario

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Carex muskingumensis

Cultivation

Prefers moist, rich soils in full sun to partial shade; tolerates wet conditions; suitable for naturalizing in wetland gardens

Pruning

Cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges

Propagation

Division in mid spring to early summer, Division in spring, Seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring, Seed sown in autumn

Pest resistance

Aphids

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions