Some works get all the attention , with their massive flower or sheer foliation colors . Then there are the humble workhorses doing their Book of Job without any bicker or muss , piss our lives easier and our gardens prettier .

sedge are one such flora . For the most part , they ’re nigh maintenance - free , and they can raise in areas where other plants would simply wither and die .

We link to trafficker to serve you find relevant products . If you corrupt from one of our links , we may make a committee .

A horizontal image of Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ sedge plants growing in the garden next to a rocky pathway.

True sedges , those plants in theCarexgenus , by and large do well in smashed or exhaust soils and are utterly happy with the bare amount of sunlight . Some are even perfect as a lawn replacement for those shady spots where smoke wo n’t grow .

There are dozens of sedge out there to take from , but who has the time to figure out how they all disagree from each other and which are salutary ?

Well , we did the legwork for you and narrowed things down to 15 perfect options ! Here are the variety we ’ll go over in this guide :

A close up vertical image of a variegated sedge plant (Carex) growing in the garden. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

15 of the Best Sedges for the Home Garden

“ True sedge ” are those in theCarexgenus , as we mentioned . But if you want to know about other genera , show our sedge develop templet .

There are many fantasticCarexcultivars and hybrids out there , and these are often what you ’ll see at nursery . metal money plants can also make wonderful additions to the garden , and some of these are native varieties .

The most common cultivatedCarexsedges are Nipponese ( C. morrowii ) and New Zealand ( C. testacea , C. buchananii , andC. comans ) .

A close up horizontal picture of Carex oshimensis ‘Everest’ sedge in the garden.

Also reckon for pond ( C. riparia ) , black ( C. nigra ) , tawny ( C. hostiana ) , brown bog ( C. buxbaumii ) , spring ( C. caryophyllea ) , and drooping ( C. pendula ) sedges . EverColor ® is the most popular serial .

Now , let ’s take a face at these top picks !

1. Everest

EverColor ® ‘ Everest , ’ aC. oshimensiscultivar , feature clearly variegate dark green and pick leaves in a fountain - like emergence habit . It prosper in full or part specter and prefers moist soil .

This is one of the most pop cultivar and you could find it just about anywhere for growing in Zones 5 to 9 . It reaches about 18 in improbable and wide-cut .

‘ Everest ’

A square picture of the variegated foliage of Carex ‘Everest’ in a pot.

Shopping online ? you’re able to pick up oneat Nature Hills Nurseryin a # 1 container .

2. Everillo

If you like the idea of adding some bold colour to the shady domain of your garden , C. oshimensis‘Everillo ’ has neon birdlime yellow and green foliation on narrow leaves .

They trip the light fantastic toe around in the breeze like vibrant ribbons , grab aid wherever you place them .

Speaking of , at under 18 inches improbable and all-encompassing with a clippety-clop development habit , this cultivar does well under trees , in containers , or as a border industrial plant . Grow it in Zones 5 to 9 .

A horizontal picture of clumps of Carex ‘Everillo’ in the garden.

‘ Everillo ’

Home Depotsells this standout in two - and - a - half - quart container .

3. Everglow

‘ Everglow ’ from the EverColor ® serial publication is aC. morrowiicultivar with orange and green striped foliage and spiky chocolate-brown seed school principal . It ’s another wildly democratic cultivar thanks to its bold aspect .

‘ Everglow ’

hone for adding glow semblance to suspicious area , it grows in Zones 5 to 10 and tops out at about 18 inch tall and all-encompassing .

A close square image of ‘Everillo’ sedge foliage in a ceramic pot.

Nature Hills Nursery carriesthis peach in a # 1 container if it ’s calling your name .

4. Evergold

look as tart as a pin - deprive suit , C. hachijoensis‘Evergold ’ has creamy yellowed and mysterious fleeceable stripes in a compact , mounding , cascade down maturation habit .

The leave of absence are semi - evergreen and the works is dead happy in fond shade and wet stain . order for Zones 5 to 10 , these mature to about a foot and a half tall with a similar width .

‘ Evergold ’

A close up square picture of the foliage of EverColor ‘Everglow’ sedge in a container.

Head on over toNature Hills Nurseryto catch one in a # 1 container .

5. Feather Falls

With its bright , stripy leaf , it ’s easy to diminish in love with ‘ Feather Falls . ’ This loan-blend features creamy white-hot and green stripes on an 18 - inch - magniloquent plant . In leap , it bring forth feathery efflorescence stems .

This plant fare well in sunnier spots than manyCarexcultivars . It ’s dauntless in zone 5 to 9 .

The graciously arch folio look like a tiny white and immature waterfall in the garden , and this cultivar can spread up to three feet , with a clumping ontogenesis habit . It ’s also peculiarly suited to container .

A close up horizontal picture of the green and cream variegated foliage of Carex hachijoensis ‘Evergold’ sedge.

‘ Feather Falls ’

fall in love ? Bring this variety homefrom Burpee .

6. Frosted Curls

C. comans‘Frosted Curls ’ looks like a tuft of muppet tomentum with silvern - gullible , narrow-minded leaves that shimmer in the light . It ’s top by purple seed mind in the recent summer .

A New Zealand eccentric , this one does best in the heat , and should n’t be planted outside of Zones 7 to 11 . If you live in the proper mood , you ’ll be treated to a beautiful display on a two - foundation - tall plant . Clumping mounds spread one to two foot .

‘ Frost Curls ’

A square image of the variegated foliage of ‘Evergold’ in the garden.

Once again , Nature Hills Nurserycan make this fantastical alternative a part of your garden with a # 1 container .

7. Gray’s

Gray ’s sedge ( C. grayi ) has green spiky seed heads that look like gargantuan burr but without the irritating wont of clinging to anything they can get their hooks into .

This North American native with brilliant green , vertical foliage get three feet tall with a bedspread of one to two invertebrate foot , and thrives in zone 5 to 9 . It bear wakeful shade and needs constantly moist soil .

8. Ice Dance

‘ Ice Dance ’ is another bicolorC. morrowiicultivar . This one has unripe leaves with blanched pinstripes on a two - foot - tall industrial plant . It require part to full shade , and thrives in Zones 5 to 9 .

With a clumping growth use , ‘ Ice Dance ’ has a spread of 12 to 18 inches .

‘ Ice Dance ’

A horizontal image of Carex ‘Feather Falls’ sedge plants in containers outdoors.

‘ Ice Dance ’ is uncommitted fromFast Growing Treesin one - Imperial gallon containers .

9. Leatherleaf

leathery polypody sedge ( C. buchananii ) , another New Zealand case , has minute , evergreen bronze leaves that seem to shimmer like pennies . It needs full sun and grows to 30 inches improbable with a similar spreading .

With a mounding growing drug abuse , this metal money is hardy in Zones 6 to 9 .

This metal money expand in moist soil but do n’t let it become waterlogged during the wintertime dormant season . This will induce the roots to rot .

A close up of the foliage of Carex ‘Feather Falls’ outdoors.

10. Old Gold

In zone 5 to 10 , this New Zealand type ( C. testacea ) shows off with semi - evergreen bronze leaves that ripen to deep gold - scandalmongering , with browned flowers in the outflow .

If you prefer the bronze , just give the plant a haircut now and then and new leaves will egress in this vividness .

This plant has a clumping maturation habit and stays thick with an 18 - column inch height and 12 - column inch spread head . Grow in partial sunshine to full nicety and moist to moderately wry soil .

A horizontal image of clumps of ‘Frosted Curls’ sedge plants in the garden.

11. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania sedge ( C.pensylvanica ) is a North American indigene that makes an excellent Mary Jane lawn replacement . It never spring up tall than eight column inch and has a creeping growth habit – that means no mowing unless you need a shorter look .

The narrow-minded green leafage forms a lush ground cover , spreading via rhizomes .

It grows in partial to full shade , so it ’s ideal if you have shady spots in your yard where unconstipated locoweed wo n’t grow .

A square image of a clump of ‘Frosted Curls’ New Zealand sedge outdoors.

Pennsylvania Sedge

Head on over toNature Hills Nurseryfor a flora in a # 1 container to start a gorgeous lawn choice in Zones 3 to 8 .

12. Prairie Fire

C.pensylvanica‘Prairie Fire ’ be up to its name . The main part of the foliage is bronze and green with flaming orange at the tips . It ’s semi - evergreen and does well in Zones 6 to 10 .

One of the cold - hardiest New Zealand type , it produce in clumps up to 24 inches tall and wide for an impressive presentation .

Plant it anywhere in partial sun to full shade with moderately moist grime .

A close up horizontal picture of gray’s sedge (Carex grayi) outdoors.

‘ Prairie Fire ’

contribute some fire to your garden by point toFast Growing Trees .

13. Ribbon Falls

Look no further than theC.oshimensishybrid ‘ Ribbon Falls ’ if you need something more heat broad and sun - loving than mostCarexoptions . Though it prefers fond spook , it ’s highly versatile and kind of a mountain range of conditions .

With deep green leaf , ‘ Ribbon Falls ’ maintains a compendious , clunk riding habit attain 18 inches marvelous and all-encompassing , and is a reliable , flying agriculturalist without becoming invasive .

Hardy in Zones 5 to 9 , it ’s in particular well - suited to container grow thanks to its fountain - same outgrowth , though you should n’t develop it in a plenty below Zone 6 .

A horizontal picture of the variegated foliage of Carex ‘Ice Dance’ in the garden.

‘ Ribbon Falls ’

There ’s a lot to get laid about this sedge , and if you agree , you’re able to nab one for yourself atNature Hills Nurseryin a # 1 container .

14. Seersucker

You may not see masses in seersucker suits that often any longer , butC. plantaginea‘Seersucker ’ is all the cult .

It ’s an adaptable North American native that can uprise in anything from boggy to dry out soil and full shade to partial sunlight . It has exceedingly spacious leaves for a sedge and grows in understructure - tall and as wide clumps of glazed , lime immature leaf .

It really stand out , however , when the strange heyday go forth in the bounce . That ’s when you get to see this flora dressed up in its seersucker finest .

A close up square picture of a potted ‘Ice Dance’ sedge plant in a wicker basket set on a stone floor.

The bloom are brown and ointment - striped with a striking ellipse shape . If you dwell in Zones 4 to 9 , you ’re lucky enough to be able to develop this standout .

15. Silk Tassel

A beautiful Japanese character , C. morrowii‘Silk Tassel ’ is easy to develop and has a pleasing clumping growth habit that keeps it compact and under command .

The narrow-minded , wispy leaves are just an 8th of an in wide . These are silvery - white and green striped and glitter subtly as they lift in the wind .

This cultivar is a moist soil and nuance lover , though it will fare just okay in fond or even full sun in cooler climate .

A horizontal image of clumps of leatherleaf sedge planted in the garden.

It stick around passing midget at under a human foot tall , but can spread up to two metrical unit , and it ’s suitable for climates down to Zone 4 and up to Zone 9 .

True Sedges Are Truly Fantastic

They may not have massive , colorful flowers or volunteer up large previous fruits and vegetables , but sedge are pretty great .

They can provide semi - evergreen people of colour for just about any spot in the yard and they do n’t expect for much in proceeds . Plus , they ’re far more wide-ranging than many people make .

Andif you ca n’t get enough of grass - same plants , we have some other guidesthat you might regain interesting , including :

A close up horizontal image of Carex pensylvanica planted in a raised border.

© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Product picture via Burpee , Fast Growing Trees , Home Depot , and Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited photograph : Shutterstock .

About

Kristine Lofgren

A close up of the foliage of Pennsylvania sedge growing as a ground cover.

A close up vertical picture of the bronze foliage of Carex testacea ‘Prairie Fire’ planted in the garden.

A square image of the foliage of ‘Prairie Fire’ sedge in a garden border.

A square picture of a small ‘Ribbon Falls’ plant planted in a container at a plant nursery.

A close up horizontal image of the foliage of Carex morrowii ‘Silk Tassel’ sedge growing in the garden.