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Creeping Broadleaf Sedge

Carex siderosticta (KAY-reks sid-er-OH-stik-ah)

Family: Cyperaceae Non-native Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Creeping broadleaf sedge is an herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) native to eastern Asia and naturalized in central Russia. The species epithet is derived from the Ancient Greek word for “iron,” but the reference was not explained. This sedge grows in partial to full shade on moist soils. It tolerates wet planting sites very well. Creeping broadleaf sedge spreads by rhizomes, although it is easily managed and controlled. The sedge can form a dense colony of plants with wide, strappy leaves. It is readily propagated by division. Mass plant it along woodland borders or shade gardens. Its coarse texture works well as an accent plant in small spaces. It can be planted along a pond or riparian margin. It would work well in an Asian garden or rain garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. More information on Carex .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 43 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Native alternatives Carex glaucescens Carex grayi

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ground Cover; Herbaceous Perennial; Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Creeping; Dense; Mounding
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Variegated
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf feel
Papery
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Cream/Tan
Flower form
Insignificant; Spike
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Achene
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Russian Far East to China and Japan
Attracts
Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Achene
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Pond; Riparian; Small Space; Walkways; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Rain Garden; Shade Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Mass Planting
Garden tags
#HS302 #sedge #ornamental grass #shade garden #wet soils tolerant #border planting #low maintenance #naturalized area #colorful leaves #rain garden #interesting leaves #wildlife friendly #th-sight #woodland #grass-like
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Deer; Heavy Shade; Wet Soil
Propagation
Division; Seed

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.