About This Grass

Carex pensylvanica is native to open woods and thickets in the eastern half of North America. It has a fountaining habit with soft, delicate, arching, semi-evergreen leaves, reaching a height and spread of 6 to 12 inches. Insignificant flowers appear at the top of rough stems from April to July, and the foliage turns sandy tan in the fall. Its leaves provide cover for birds that also feed on the seed. This sedge is attractive when used as an underplanting for ferns and other low-growing shade perennials such as blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), eastern woodfern (Dryopteris marginalis), and sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum).