Why plant Audubon® Native Palm Sedge?
Of the more than 500 species of Sedges native to the U.S., one that truly stands out is the Palm Sedge. With its slim, shiny blades, arranged in a sort of fan pattern, it does look like a grove of miniature Palm Trees: In the soggy soil that it loves, Palm Sedge brings lively greenery and an eye-catching texture to the landscape. But it is more than merely ornamental! This valuable Fringe provides cover to small animals, and its seeds supply nourishment to birds. Mallards, Song Sparrows, Swamp Sparrows, and Towhees are some of the many birds that relish them.
You may not think of grasses and grass-like plants such as Sedges to be great for the butterfly garden—their flowers are wind pollinated, after all. However, Sedges like Palm Sedge are indeed valuable to some butterflies (and moths) as food for their young. The caterpillars of many skipper butterflies, the eyed brown, and the Appalachian brown butterfly feed on native Sedge foliage. The pretty Virginia ctenucha, a moth with an iridescent blue body and a bright orange head, also lays its eggs on Sedges. Palm Sedge feeds caterpillars in much of the Midwest and north into Canada.
How to use Audubon® Native Palm Sedge in the landscape?
Grow it in a pot! Palm Sedge makes an interesting container component, either alone or with other moisture-loving plants. Keep it in a pot on your patio as a neat, low-maintenance accent.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
How To Plant Audubon® Native Palm Sedge
Palm Sedge is easy to grow, provided you have rich, fertile soil that doesn’t dry out. Put it in a spot that receives all-day sun if you can; some shade in the afternoon will also suffice. This cool-season Fringe is in active growth in spring and fall, and it flowers in late spring. It will go dormant in winter, and you can cut it back then if you like. Palm Sedge doesn’t run as fast as some other Sedges do, but it will spread out a bit. Don’t plant delicate plants nearby.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.