2 named cultivars

grassN. America Native

Creeping Sedge

Carex laxiculmis

The Story

Plant Bio

Carex laxiculmis, creeping sedge, is a low clumping evergreen sedge native to Canada and the central and southeastern United States, reaching about a foot. Its distinction is foliage colour: broad, papery, strikingly blue-green to silver-blue leaves that hold through winter, forming a spreading mound in shade where few plants offer that colour.

It is one of the bluest plants available for shade, and unlike most blue-foliage plants it does not need sun to hold the colour. It spreads slowly by rhizome into drifts, tolerates deep shade and occasional wet, and supports satyrine butterfly larvae.

Uses & Benefits:

Unusually blue evergreen foliage that holds its colour in full shade all year.

Evergreen groundcover for shade that tolerates occasional wet and needs almost nothing.

Supports satyrine butterfly larvae; achenes are eaten by birds and small mammals.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

12 inches

Width

12 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Canada and the central and southeastern United States

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in moist, humus-rich soil.
Choose partial to deep shade.
Space about a foot apart for a drift.
Keep the soil moist; it dislikes drying out.
Comb out dead foliage in early spring.
Divide every few years to spread it.

Pro Tip

Comb the old foliage out with your fingers in spring rather than shearing — it is evergreen, and cutting it back removes the winter colour you grew it for.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in moist shade 🌱
Comb out old leaves in spring 🧤
Use it as a blue groundcover under trees 💙
Divide to spread the drift ✂️

Don't

Shear the whole clump to the ground ❌
Let it dry out ❌
Plant in hot full sun ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Blue-foliage groundcover in shadeWoodland-edge driftContainer and small-space planting

Companion Plants

Christmas Fern Wild Ginger Foamflower American Alumroot Golden Ragwort

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Creeping Sedge questions

What zones can Creeping Sedge grow in?

Creeping Sedge is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Creeping Sedge deer resistant?

Yes — Creeping Sedge is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Creeping Sedge bloom?

Creeping Sedge typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Creeping Sedge need full sun?

Creeping Sedge does best in part shade.