Clustered field sedge
Carex praegracilis
Clustered field sedge (Carex praegracilis) is a Colorado-native groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–18 in tall and 12–24 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Native sedge, Plant Select's signature lawn-alternative pick. Fine-textured, deer-resistant, takes more water than buffalo grass without complaint.
Colorado nativelow to medium water8–18 in tall and 12–24 in wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Carex praegracilis - Spring in the Mary Wattis Brown Garden of California Native Plants" by UC Davis Arboretum & Public Garden is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 2: "Carex praegracilis -clustered field sedge" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 3: "Carex praegracilis - Spring in the Mary Wattis Brown Garden of California Native Plants" by UC Davis Arboretum & Public Garden is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 4: "Carex praegracilis - clustered field sedge - Flickr - Matt Lavin (5)" by Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 5: Anthony Valois and the National Park Service
- Photo 6: (c) Patrick Jackson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 8–18 in tall and 12–24 in wide
- Growth habit
- Spreading
- Planting spacing
- ~17–24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- Moderate foot traffic
- Lawn alternative
- Mowable lawn alternative
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Using Clustered field sedge as a groundcover
Clustered field sedge spreads steadily. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. It takes moderate foot traffic, so you can walk on it regularly.
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer. Lower water needs than bluegrass; takes light foot traffic; can be mowed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Clustered field sedge good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Clustered field sedge is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Clustered field sedge get?
- It matures to about 8–18 in tall and 12–24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Clustered field sedge?
- Space Clustered field sedge about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Clustered field sedge hardy on the Front Range?
- Clustered field sedge is hardy in USDA 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Clustered field sedge need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Clustered field sedge native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Clustered field sedge deer-resistant?
- Clustered field sedge is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Clustered field sedge a good firewise plant near the house?
- Clustered field sedge is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Clustered field sedge a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes. Clustered field sedge is in Plant Select®, the plant-recommendation program run by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens to highlight plants that thrive in the region.
- Can you walk on Clustered field sedge?
- Clustered field sedge takes moderate foot traffic, so you can walk on it regularly.
- Can Clustered field sedge replace a lawn?
- Yes, Clustered field sedge works as a mowable lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Clustered field sedge spread or stay put?
- Clustered field sedge is spreading. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Clustered field sedge stay green in winter?
- Clustered field sedge keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
