Silvery Sedge
Carex canescens
- Native to:
- Albania, Aleutian Is., Argentina, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Falkland Is., Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Labrador, Netherlands, New Guinea, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Virgin Islands
James K. Lindsey
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- Carex canescens
- USDA Symbol:
- CACA11
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, peaty, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and bogs
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold, moist stratification for 4-8 weeks to break dormancy; surface sow on moist peat or sandy soil.
Pre-treatment: Seeds were cold stratified for 30 days
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)