Native Perennial Sedge
Light: Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium to wet
Soil Description: Easily grown in average, medium to wet soil
Height: 6" to 1'
Bloom Color: Tiny yellow flowers in spring are insignificant
Bloom Time: May - September, bloom time refers to the fruiting period for Carex spp.
Deer: Resistant
Attracts: Birds w/ larva and nesting material; butterflies, moths
Pollinators: Larval host plant for Satyr butterflies, numerous Skipper butterflies and moths
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Muskingum Sedge (Carex muskingumensis) commonly called palm sedge, is a dense, clump-forming sedge which is grown for its foliage effect. Produces rigid, erect stems to 20" tall with 8" long, pointed, grass-like, light green leaves radiating from the stem tops. Commonly called palm sedge since the leaves somewhat superficially resemble miniature palm fronds. It is found most often in wooded swamps and on wooded flood plains of rivers. Spread by rhizomes and self-seeding. Insignificant flowers appear in May on terminal spikes which are not showy but are noticeable and of some interest and persist throughout the summer. Wetland species of Carex provide food and shelter to a variety of fauna including invertebrates, songbirds, and waterfowl. Foliage promptly turns yellow after frost.
Easily grown in average, medium to wet soil in full sun to part shade. This species does well in some shade, but tends to flop in too much shade. Best in constantly moist, fertile soil, but will grow in shallow water (3-4" deep). Grows well away from water, but soil must not be allowed to dry out. Cut back to ground in late winter to make room for new growth in spring. Plants slowly naturalize by rhizomes in optimum growing conditions.
Genus name from Latin means cutter in reference to the sharp leaves and stem edges (rushes are round but sedges have edges) found on most species' plants.
Sources: missouribotanicalgarden.org