Plant Calculator
Enter the approximate length and width of the area you will be planting and click 'Calculate' to determine how many Carex leavenworthii you will need.
Correct and successful spacing is complex and depends on project conditions. We encourage you to call us at 877-ECO-PLUG for project specific recommendations and further assistance.
Carex leavenworthii
Leavenworth's sedge
- Category: Carex
- Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Height: 6-12 in
- Spread: 6-12 in
- Spacing: 12-18 in
- Bloom Color: Green
Carex leavenworthii is a graceful, clump-forming perennial sedge with fine-textured, deep green foliage that adds a soft, flowing element to the woodland floor. Its narrow, arching leaves create a lush, low-growing mass that works beautifully as a groundcover. In late spring—typically mid to late April—slender, wiry stems rise above the foliage, bearing tight, greenish clusters of tiny flower spikes. These sprays lend a delicate, airy quality to the plant before gently leaning over once blooming has passed.
Soil Moisture Needs
| • | Moist |
Plug Type
| • | Landscape Plug™ |
Season of Interest (Flowering)
| • | Late Spring / Early Summer |
Grass Type
| • | Cool Season |
Additional Information about Carex leavenworthii
Native to a broad range across eastern and central North America—from Ontario and New York down to Florida and westward to Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas—Carex leavenworthii thrives in mesic to dry woodlands with partial sun to full shade. It’s particularly well-suited to naturalized landscapes, shady gardens, and restoration plantings where low-maintenance, native vegetation is desired.
With its refined texture and adaptability, this sedge offers exceptional potential as a woodland groundcover. It also serves as an ecologically friendly alternative to traditional turf in shaded or dappled light settings, requiring little maintenance once established. Whether planted en masse or used to weave through other woodland natives, Carex leavenworthii brings quiet beauty and resilience to any shaded garden space.
Growing & Maintenance Tips for Carex leavenworthii
Thriving in a wide variety of soil conditions—including sandy, clay, seasonally wet, and even alkaline soils—this adaptable plant is both tough and low-maintenance. Once established, it handles heat and drought with ease. For a burst of fresh foliage, plants can be cut back in late summer, encouraging vibrant new growth that persists beautifully through the winter months.