Perennial of the Month-- November 2001
Common name: Blue Sedge
Family: Cyperaceae, Sedge
Height x width: 6-12" x 18"
Growth rate: moderate, gradually spreading with new shoots from rhizomes
Foliage: basal, bluish grass-like leaves, flat, thick ¼" wide; stems are triangular compared to rounded grass stems, flower stems are solid without nodes compared to grasses usually hollow with nodes; where blade and sheath join (ligule) is generally absent in sedges but conspicuous in grasses
Flowers: unisexual (separate male and female but on the same plant) compared to grasses with both parts on same flower, flowers insignificant
Hardiness: USDA zones 4-7
Soil: moist, tolerates range of types and moisture even drought once established
Light: sun, tolerates some shade
Pests and Problems: few serious
Landscape habit, uses: massing, fronts of borders, containers, rock gardens, erosion control, filtered shade under trees; combines nicely in front of, and between, many taller perennials such as rudbeckia, bee balms, daylilies, other upright or clumping grasses
Other interest: genus name from the Greek keiro meaning to cut, referring to the sharp edge of leaf margins; often found listed as species flacca, however this species is listed as glaucous beneath and dark green above--definitely not this plant
Other culture: low maintenance, easy to contain spread
Propagation: seed or spring division
Sources: Kurt Bluemel, other specialty and complete perennial mail order and nurseries