Sun Exposure: Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet, Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Soil Type: Loam, Clay-Loam, Rocky/Gravelly
Height: 1 foot
Spread: 2 feet
Blooms: May, June
Root: Fibrous, short rhizomatous
Habitat: Upland woodlands, Bottomland woodlands, Woodland openings, Savannas, Thickets, Degraded prairies. Common Woodland Sedge has been found in both deciduous and deciduous/coniferous woodlands (or mixed woodlands). In tallgrass prairies, Common Woodland Sedge functions as a shade-tolerant understory plant.
Landscape uses: Shade garden, Pollinator garden
Complimentary Plants: Virginia Bluebells, Woodland Poppy, Wild Geranium, Golden Alexander
Wildlife Value: Sedges (Carex spp.) in woodlands are a source of food to various insects. Seeds are eaten by birds such as the Bobwhite Quail, Wild Turkey, immature Ruffed Grouse, Eastern Towhee, and various sparrows, towhees, cardinals, and other granivorous songbirds. When abundant, these plants provide cover for small rodents, ground-nesting woodland birds, and other wildlife. Host Plant: Appalachian Brown and Eyed Brown butterfly
Seed Origin: Winona, MN (Prairie Moon Nursery seed supplier)
Germination Code: C(60)
Photo credits: #1 by Doug McGrady, #2 by Alison Northup, #3/4 by Katy Chayka
Carex blanda - Common Wood Sedge
This perennial sedge forms tufts that are pale green and leaves that have a tendency to sprawl out once the plant gets large enough. It is adapatable to full sun to shade and wet to medium dry soils but does prefer partial sun to medium shade liike the conditions it thrives in woodland landscapes. It blooms in the spring and adds a nice texture to the woodland garden. This sedge may spread out to form colonies if exposed to lots of bare soil.