A beautiful broadleaf sedge of rich, mesic forests, Plantain-leaf Sedge (Sometimes called Seersucker Sedge for the puckered-texture leaves) ranges through the Great Lakes and Appalachian Mountains.
Here in Indiana, Plantain-Leaf Sedge is very common in the South and West parts of the state, where hilly, rich woodlands dominate. It can usually be found where moisture is abundant, and prefers a calcium-rich soil that is neutral in PH.
Plantain-Leaf Sedge grows to about 8-10 inches tall, spreading up to 1 foot. The individual leaves are very wide for sedges, sometimes more than an inch wide, and have a puckered texture similar to old-fashioned Seersucker fabric.
Plantain-Leaf Sedge is a great staple plant for a woodland garden. It is widely adaptable as long as the soil isn't too heavy and waterlogged, and will even take dryish soils once established.
Since it emerges in mid-Spring and grows through the summer, Plantain-Leaf Sedge is a good plant to use to fill in the blank spots left behind by the Spring Ephemerals once they've gone dormant - It combines well with other rich-soil woodlanders such as Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera) and Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia).
Deer and rabbits won't bother plantain-leaf sedge, making it a good addition to areas with high populations. However, slugs and snails will make a mess of the clumps if there's a heavy infestation.
Plantain-Leaf Sedge is very easy to grow, as long as the need for moist soil in the spring can be met. Growing in deciduous forests, it can take a fair amount of sun early in the season, but shade is appreciated once the season progresses.
Space Plantain-Leaf Sedge 12 inches apart in moist soil for best effect - They look best as individual clumps with a groundcover between them such as Creeping Phlox or Woodland Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum).
We provide Plantain-Leaf Sedge in Quart Super-Plugs, which will establish quickly and fill out well within 1 growing season.
| Common Name: | Plantainleaf Sedge |
| Botanical Name: | Carex plantaginea |
| Availability: | Not Available for 2022 |
| USDA Hardiness Zones: | 4-8 |
| Height: | 8-10 Inches |
| Spread: | 10-12 Inches |
| Spacing: | 10 Inches (18 Inches for Distinct Clumps) |
| Flower Color: | Black (Not Very Noticeable) |
| Bloom Time: | Mid-Spring |
| Texture: | Coarse (Strap-Like) |
| Habit: | Arching Clump |
| Light Exposure: | Full Shade to Part Shade; Moist, Protected Woodlands |
| Soil Moisture: | Moist to Average |
| Soil Texture: | Clay Loam to Sandy Loam |
| Soil PH: | Neutral to Slightly Acidic; Calcium-Rich |
| Landscape Uses: | Groundcover, Mass Plantings, Accent Plant |
| Benefits: | Deer and Rabbit Resistant, Attractive Form |
| Ecological Function: | Larval Host Plant, Seed |
