Content Detail

Morrow’s sedge is a grass-like plant that can be used as a ground cover. The plant is most commonly sold as variegated cultivars.

  • Family (English) Sedge
  • Family (botanic) Cyperaceae
  • Tree or plant type Grass, Ground cover, Perennial
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Small plant (6-12 inches)
  • Light exposure Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
  • Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil, Wet soil
  • Tolerances Wet sites
  • Season of interest mid spring, late spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous, Other
  • Shape or form Mounded
  • Growth rate Moderate, Slow

Size and Method of spreading:

Morrow’s sedge is a clumping, grass-like plant that can be used as a ground cover. It has a mounded form and grows 12 inches high and 12 inches wide. It is a clump-forming ground cover. Clump-forming ground covers are plants that are not usually thought of as ground covers. They are perennials that can be planted closely together to provide the visual effect of a ground cover.

Native geographic location and habitat:

This plant is native to Japan.

Leaf description:

Leaves are evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending on climate. They are 12 inches long and 1/2 inch wide, growing from the base of the plant. The leaves of the species are green, but cultivars with striped leaves are commonly sold.

Flower description:

Sedge flowers are often not very showy and this is the case with Morrow’s sedge. The flowers lack petals and are brown in color.

Fruit description:

Fruit is not ornamentally important.

Plant care:

Morrow’s sedge prefers to grow in moderate to full shade and requires a consistently moist soil. It will not tolerate drought.  For best growth, an acidic soil is needed. To keep the plant tidy, trim it back in spring.

Ice Dance Morrow’s sedge (Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’): 

This cultivar has green leaves edged in white.

Silk Tassels Morrow’s sedge (Carex morrowii ‘ Silk Tassels’):  

This cultivar has narrow, thread-like leaves with white margins.

Silver Sceptre Morrow’s sedge (Carex morrowii ‘Silver Sceptre’): 

This cultivar has narrow leaves edged in white.

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