Tuft of ornamental grass with long, narrow green leaves and light-green seed heads.

Ornamental grass in a pot with long slender green leaves and brown seed heads, inside a glass greenhouse.

Close-up of dense green grass with thin blades and small seed heads at the tips of the stalks.

Dense tuft of bright green ornamental grass in a black nursery pot, with other pots in the background

Potted ornamental grass with long, narrow green blades in a black plastic pot, held up outdoors near a glass greenhouse.

Potted ornamental grass with long slender green leaves and brown seed heads in a greenhouse scene

Pennsylvania Sedge Grass

Native Shade Groundcover
Soft Fine Foliage
Lawn Alternative Texture

Our Guarantee Customer Reviews

#1 Container

$16.00

208 in stock

#2 Container

$20.00

Out of stock

Want to be notified when this product is back in stock?

Use this e-mail address to send me availability alerts and updates.

Size

Clear

Add installation for only _ per item!

Starting at $16.00

The Grasshopper Guarantee

We guarantee that your plants and trees will arrive happy and healthy. If you’re not satisfied after receiving your trees and plants, we’ll replace them at no cost to you. Trees and plants are living organisms and require care, maintenance, and protection to survive, root in, and establish properly. Trees that do not survive despite receiving the proper care, maintenance, and protection within the first year will be considered for a one-time replacement. If you purchased plants outside of your growing zone recommendation, or have not properly cared for your new plants as described in your welcome letter, your purchase won’t be covered by our Grasshopper guarantee.
FREE Local Delivery

Grasshopper Gardens offers free home delivery to customers in our local service areas. Experience the convenience of having your plants delivered straight to your home, free of charge, saving you time and effort.

Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

518-793-9623.
In Stock
518-793-9623

Pennsylvania Sedge Grass

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

Pennsylvania Sedge Grass

Pennsylvania Sedge Grass is a native, fine-textured sedge prized for soft green foliage, low clumping growth, and excellent use as a shady lawn alternative. It brings natural woodland texture to dry shade, native gardens, slopes, borders, and underplantings beneath trees.

Why choose Pennsylvania Sedge Grass?

Choose Pennsylvania Sedge Grass for a graceful, low-growing native groundcover that performs where traditional turf often looks thin. Its narrow, arching leaves create a soft meadow-like effect in shaded sites, and it can be planted in drifts for a natural lawn-alternative look. This sedge is especially useful beneath trees, along woodland paths, at border edges, and in native plantings where easy texture, seasonal movement, and subtle green coverage are desired.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Carex pensylvanica
Common Name: Pennsylvania Sedge Grass
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial sedge, groundcover
Growth Habit: Low, clumping to spreading, fine-textured woodland sedge

Pennsylvania Sedge Grass Additional Information

Pennsylvania Sedge Grass forms soft, arching mounds of narrow green foliage that blend beautifully into shaded and woodland-style landscapes. Small spring flower spikes are subtle and not the main ornamental feature, but they contribute to the plant’s natural seasonal rhythm. The foliage typically stays low and relaxed, creating a fine-textured carpet when planted in groups.

This native sedge is especially valued as a shade lawn alternative for areas with light foot traffic, dry shade, slopes, and tree underplantings. It may remain semi-evergreen in milder winters, while colder conditions can cause foliage to brown or flatten before fresh growth returns in spring. For a tidier look, old foliage can be trimmed back in late winter or early spring. Pennsylvania Sedge Grass is best used in masses, naturalized drifts, woodland borders, and native garden plantings where its quiet, meadow-like texture can fill space without looking overly formal.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant Pennsylvania Sedge Grass in partial shade to full shade with well-drained soil. Space plants so they can gradually fill in, especially when creating a lawn-alternative or woodland groundcover effect.

2. Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help roots establish. Once established, it performs well with moderate moisture and can adapt to dry shade better than many traditional turf options.

3. Mulching: Apply a light layer of shredded leaves, compost, or fine mulch around new plantings to help conserve moisture and create a woodland-style soil environment. Keep mulch from burying the crowns.

4. Pruning: Trim or rake away tired foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. For a more lawn-like look, it can be cut back occasionally at a high setting.

Related Resources

FAQs

How large does Pennsylvania Sedge Grass get?
Pennsylvania Sedge Grass typically grows about 6–12 inches tall, forming soft clumps that gradually spread by rhizomes into a fine-textured groundcover.
Can Pennsylvania Sedge Grass be used as a lawn alternative?
Yes. It is a strong choice for shaded lawn-alternative plantings, especially in dry shade or woodland settings. It is best for low-traffic areas rather than heavy-use turf spaces.
Does Pennsylvania Sedge Grass grow in full shade?
Yes. Pennsylvania Sedge Grass performs well in partial shade to full shade, making it useful beneath trees, along shaded paths, and in woodland garden beds.
When should Pennsylvania Sedge Grass be cut back?
Cut back or clean up old foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. This refreshes the planting while preserving its soft natural texture through winter.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Partial Shade
Lush Foliage
Thrives

Mature Height	Small: Up to 2 ft
Mature Spread	0-5 ft
Growth Rate	Moderate, Slow
Botanical Name	Carex pensylvanica
Bloom Time	Late Spring, Early Summer
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Poaceae
Flower Color	Green
Hardiness Zones	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Needs	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#1 Container, #2 Container

Map of the United States with all states filled in green, showing a uniform green fill across the country.

Growing Zones 3-8 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -40)

Compare Similar Products

Name	Walkers Low Catmint	Frances Williams Hosta	Shasta Daisy	Pumila Astilbe	Trumpet Vine	Virginia Creeper
Rating
Mature Height	Small: Up to 2 ft	Small: Up to 2 ft	Medium: Up to 4 ft	Small: Up to 2 ft	Large: Up to 30 ft or more	Large: Up to 30 ft or more
Mature Spread	0-5 ft	0-5 ft	0-5 ft	0-5 ft	5-10 ft	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Fast	Moderate, Slow		Moderate	Fast, Moderate	Fast
Bloom Time	Early Summer	Mid Summer	Mid Summer	Late Spring, Mid spring	Early Fall, Early Summer, Late Summer, Mid Summer	Late Spring, Mid spring, Early Spring
Deer Resistant	Usually	Usually		Usually	Usually	Usually
Family	Lamiaceae	Asparagaceae	Asteraceae	Saxifragaceae	Campsis	Vitaceae
Flower Color	Blue/Purple	Blue/Purple, White	White	Pink	Red	Green, White
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	4, 5, 6, 7, 8	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9	3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun		Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Maintenance	Low	Low	Medium	Low	Low	Low