SEED ORDERS OVER $100 SHIP FREE!
Carex pensylvanica

Pennsylvania Sedge

$3.00 - $8.00

Packet
$3.00

Bare Root Plants
$8.00

Tray of 50
Out of Stock
3 Pack
Out of Stock

Carex pensylvanica is a fine-textured Sedge that reproduces by rhizomes and rarely reaches heights of more than 8" when blooming. It is sought-after for its look of a traditional lawn and for its dry-soil tolerance and ability to grow in full sun or full shade. To get a solid stand of this hardy sedge that so many desire, divide plants over the years  It will spread between 3-8" each year depending on the soil moisture of the site. To start a larger area from seed is not realistic; seed is difficult and slow to germinate. Pennsylvania Sedge actively grows during the spring and fall when soil temperatures are cool.

Live Plant Shipping Table

Spring Fall Age/Size
Dormant Bare Roots
April/May October 1-2 years
Potted 3-Packs N/A September 2.5" wide x 3.5" deep pots
Potted Trays of 50 April/May N/A 2" wide x 5" deep plugs

Carex pensylvanica - Pennsylvania Sedge

Map Key

Present in state
Present but introduced in county
Present and native in county; not rare
Not present in state
Present and native in county; rare
Species extirpated (historic)
State or county listed as noxious
Present in state; exotic

This map shows the native and introduced (adventive) range of this species. Given appropriate habitat and climate, native plants can be grown outside their range.

7 Questions asked on Carex pensylvanica

when you say the seed from this carex is hard to grow? I grow lots of seeds-is this harder than other carex?
Yes, seed propagation for Carex pensylvanica is more challenging than other Carex species due to a combination of low seed set and low germination rates. Vegetative propagation is the standard in the horticultural industry which is most commonly achieved by root divisions.
Will this grow in between the roots of trees (sycamore, oak, maples)?
Hi Debbie, Yes, Penn Sedge should grow just fine among tree roots.
Hi, I was wondering, if you think Carex Pennsylvania can handle road / parking lot salt. Thank you
Hi Charles, There are no guarantees when dealing with poor-quality runoff, but yes, Carex pensylvanica is fairly salt tolerant. Searching "salt" on our website brings up a list of salt tolerant species!
Will carex grow under semi-shade of hemlock?
Carex pensylvanica should grow fine under semi-shade conditions near hemlocks.
Will this sedge tolerate moderate to high foot traffic?
This sedge will only tolerate light foot traffic.
Is this sedge a host plant or of interest to insects?
Hi Ken. Several types of leafhoppers, grasshoppers, and grass-miner moth larvae will consume Pennsylvania Sedge.
Is it deer resistant?
Hello Bob, Yes, this plant is deer resistant. In the details section of each species page, we mark if a species is deer resistant in the "Advantages". Please feel free to also take advantage of our search filters, where you can filter for deer resistant species.

Seed

Growing your own plants from seed is the most economical way to add natives to your home. Before you get started, one of the most important things to know about the seeds of wild plants is that many have built-in dormancy mechanisms that prevent the seed from germinating. In nature, this prevents a population of plants from germinating all at once, before killing frosts, or in times of drought. To propagate native plants, a gardener must break this dormancy before seed will grow.

Each species is different, so be sure to check the GERMINATION CODE listed on the website, in the catalog, or on your seed packet. Then, follow the GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS prior to planting. Some species don't need any pre-treatment to germinate, but some species have dormancy mechanisms that must be broken before the seed will germinate. Some dormancy can be broken in a few minutes, but some species take months or even years.

Seed dormancy can be broken artificially by prolonged refrigeration of damp seed in the process of cold/moist STRATIFICATION. A less complicated approach is to let nature handle the stratifying through a dormant seeding, sowing seeds on the surface of a weed-free site in late fall or winter. Tucked safely beneath the snow, seeds will be conditioned by weathering to make germination possible in subsequent growing seasons.

To learn more, read our BLOG: How to Germinate Native Seeds

Dormant Bare Root Plants

We dig plants when they are dormant from our outdoor beds and ship them April-May and October. Some species go dormant in the summer and we can ship them July/August. We are among the few still employing this production method, which is labor intensive but plant-friendly. They arrive to you dormant, with little to no top-growth (bare-root), packed in peat moss. They should be planted as soon as possible. Unlike greenhouse-grown plants, bare-root plants can be planted during cold weather or anytime the soil is not frozen. A root photo is included with each species to illustrate the optimal depth and orientation. Planting instructions/care are also included with each order.

Download: Installing Your Bare-Root Plants

Potted Plants

3-packs and trays of 32, 38, or 50 plants leave our Midwest greenhouses based on species readiness (being well-rooted for transit) and order date; Spring shipping is typically early May through June, and Fall shipping is mid-August through September. Potted 3-packs and trays of 38 plugs are started from seed in the winter so are typically 3-4 months old when they ship. Trays of 32/50 plugs are usually overwintered so are 1 year old. Plant tray cells are approximately 2” wide x 5” deep in the trays of 38 and 50, and 2.5" wide x 3.5" deep in the 3-packs and trays of 32; ideal for deep-rooted natives. Full-color tags and planting & care instructions are included with each order.

Download: Planting and Care of Potted Plants

*PLEASE NOTE: we are a mail order nursery and have no retail facilities, but you may pick up your order if prior arrangements are made. Pick up orders are subject to **MN Sales Tax.

Shipping & Handling Charges

SEED $100.00 and under: $5.00
Retail SEED orders over $100.00 ship free!

Custom seed mixes or discounted seed sales over $100, add 5% of the total seed cost
(for orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required)

BARE ROOT and POTTED PLANTS $50.00 and under: $9.00
over $50.00: 18% of the total plant cost. (For orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required.)

TOOLS and BOOKS have the shipping fee included in the cost of the product (within the contiguous US).

**We are required to collect state sales tax in certain states. Your state's eligibility and % will be calculated at checkout. MN State Sales Tax of 7.375% is applied for orders picked up at our MN location. Shipping & handling charges are also subject to the sales tax.

Shipping Season

SEED, TOOLS and BOOKS are sent year-round. Most orders ship within 1-3 business days.

BARE ROOT PLANTS are shipped during optimal transplanting time: Spring (April-May) and Fall (Oct). Some ephemeral species are also available for summer shipping. Since our plants are field-grown, Nature sets the schedule each year as to when our season will begin and end. We fill all orders, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to the best of our ability depending on weather conditions beyond our control.

POTTED PLANTS (Trays of 32/38/50 plugs and 3-packs) typically begin shipping early May and go into June; shipping time is heavily dependent on all the species in your order being well-rooted. If winter-spring greenhouse growing conditions are favorable and all species are well-rooted at once, then we ship by order date (first come, first serve). We are a Midwest greenhouse, and due to the challenges of getting all the species in the Mix & Match and Pre-Designed Garden Kits transit-ready at the same time, we typically can't ship before early May. Earlier shipment requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

*We are unable to ship PLANTS (bare root or potted) outside the contiguous US or to CALIFORNIA due to regulations.

Delivery

We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee. UPS and Spee Dee are often used for expediting plant orders; they will not deliver to Post Office Box numbers, so please also include your street address if ordering plants. We send tracking numbers to your email address so please include it when you order.

FOR MORE DETAILED SHIPPING INFORMATION, INCLUDING CANADA SHIPPING RATES (SEED ONLY), PLEASE SEE 'SHIPPING' AT THE FOOTER OF THIS WEBSITE.

Details

Seeds/Packet
30
Seeds/Ounce
20,000
Germination Code
C(60)
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Exposure
Full, Partial, Shade
Soil Moisture
Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Height
8 inches
Bloom Time
April, May, June
Advantages
Bird Favorite: seeds, insects, fruit, nectar, nesting, perch
Deer Resistant
Highly recommended for home landscaping
USDA Zones
3-7
Plant Spacing
6-10"
Catalog Code
CAR18G