Sedge lawns
Homeowners often choose to plant groundcovers like ivy or vinca as a low-maintenance alternative to lawns. But some groundcovers can be invasive, and many gardeners miss the grassy look. There has been some momentum in the horticulture community toward recommending native sedges, which are closely related to grasses, as attractive substitutes for lawns. As an added bonus, many are suitable for dry, shady areas, where grass is difficult to grow. Pennsylvania sedge, Carex pensylvanica, is one sedge that may fill the bill in North Carolina landscapes. It is native to most of the eastern half of the United States and is frequently found in the dappled shade of oaks. About 6 to 12 inches tall, it has a lush, fine-textured appearance and spreads slowly via rhizomes to form a thick mat. The quickest, most economical way to cover a large area in sedges is to purchase and plant plugs. “Easy Lawns: Low-Maintenance Native Grasses for Gardeners Everywhere,” published by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, provides information on how to select, plant and maintain sedges and other native groundcovers. The book is available from BBG for $8.95. Selected chapters may be viewed free online at www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/sustainable/
handbooks/lawns/index.html.