Mario Bautista
UT Gardens’ October Plant of the Month
Cherokee Sedge thrives in shade, sun, wet and dry conditions. (Photo courtesy UTIA)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Garden styles that support biodiversity are gaining popularity. According to a 2021 survey conducted by the National Wildlife Federation and the National Gardening Association, there was a 26 percent increase in plants purchased to help wildlife from the previous year.
Instead of simply buying plants because they are pretty, gardeners are choosing plants that also fulfill ecosystem functions like providing food for foraging insects, nesting materials for birds and strong deep root systems that stabilize the soil and contribute to plant survival in harsh weather conditions. One group of plants that is gaining recognition due to this trend are the North American native sedges.
Not to be confused with the unsightly garden weed, nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), sedges (Carex sp.) are attractive grass-like plants that primarily grow in slowly spreading clumps. While there are hundreds of native species found in the wild, only a handful of those are available on the retail market. Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge) is one of those chosen few, and it is easy to see why. This handsome, tough selection thrives in an impressive range of conditions including deep shade, intense sun, occasional flooding and periods of drought once established.
Depending on the growing environment, this plant ranges in size from 1-2 feet tall and wide. The coarsely textured semi-evergreen foliage contrasts well with big, round flowers and large-leaved plants like hostas. Consider using it as an alternative lawn under trees, as a filler for large mixed borders, in a rain garden, or naturalistic meadow planting.
For a tidy appearance and a flush of fresh green growth, cut back old foliage to about 6 inches tall in late winter or early spring. Mature communities of Cherokee sedge can be found at the Native American Interpretive Garden on the UTIA campus in Knoxville as well as the perennial border surrounding the Great Lawn at UT Gardens, Knoxville.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.
–Holly Jones, UT Gardens, Knoxville
