grass

Creek Sedge

Name: Creek Sedge
Brand: Carex
Availability: InStock

Carex amphibola

$26.99

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

18 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Medium to high

Humidity

Prefers moderate to high

Lifespan

Long-lived perennial

Native To

Eastern North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Carex amphibola is a versatile and adaptable native sedge found in moist to wet woodlands and along stream banks in eastern North America. It forms dense, upright clumps of shiny, grass-like foliage. This sedge is particularly valuable for its ability to thrive in shady, moist to wet soils, including heavy clay. Its semi-evergreen nature provides year-round cover, making it an excellent groundcover for rain gardens or damp, shaded areas.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Forms attractive, arching clumps of glossy green foliage that provide texture and movement in the shade garden. It creates a lush, cool-season carpet of green.

Its fibrous root system is excellent for erosion control on moist slopes and stream banks. It is a workhorse groundcover for difficult damp shade and heavy clay soils where other plants struggle.

Creek Sedge is a host plant for the larvae of several skipper butterflies. Its seeds provide food for birds and other wildlife, and its dense clumps offer shelter for small creatures.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Perennial Farm Marketplace

In Stock$26.99

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Planting

How to Grow

Choose a site in partial or full shade with moist, rich soil.
It tolerates a wide range of soil types, including clay.
Dig a hole the same depth as the pot and twice as wide.
Place the plant in the hole so the crown is level with the soil.
Backfill with soil and water thoroughly.
Keep well-watered, especially during the first growing season.

Pro Tip

Use Creek Sedge as a living mulch around moisture-loving shrubs like Itea or Clethra to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide consistent moisture; do not let it dry out.
Plant in shady locations for best performance.
Use it to stabilize soil on moist, shaded banks.
Cut back foliage in late winter for a tidy appearance.

Don't

Do not plant in dry, sandy soils or full sun.
Avoid letting the soil become parched for extended periods.
Don't worry about serious pests or diseases; it is very resilient.
Refrain from using heavy fertilizers; it does well in average soil.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Plant
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Lush groundcover for moist, shady areasEffective erosion control on shaded slopesKey component of a native plant rain garden

Companion Plants

Asarum canadense Mertensia virginica Lobelia cardinalis Osmunda cinnamomea Chelone glabra

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Creek Sedge questions

What zones can Creek Sedge grow in?

Creek Sedge is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Creek Sedge deer resistant?

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

When does Creek Sedge bloom?

Creek 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 Creek Sedge need full sun?

Creek Sedge does best in part shade.