Do you know Carex pansa? If you want to see a nice example of a natural lawn that requires less mowing and water, head over to Tilden Botanical Gardens in Berkeley, California, (photo left). It was there that I first knowingly stepped foot upon this California native sedge, which seemed to enjoy having me on it as much as I enjoyed lazing around and walking about on it.
Carex pansa tolerates foot traffic, deer, seacoast conditions, sun, as well as sand, clay, and boggy soils.
At Tilden Botanical Gardens (which houses the largest collection of California native plants in Northern CA), Carex pansa is used to make a small, natural lawn. This lovely sedge provides an opportunity to replace the traditional thirsty and hungry turf grass lawn with a sustainable natural lawn. With serious issues like drought, environmental concerns etc., a natural lawn like this one, can be a good choice: Less mow, less water, less food. No need to constantly fertilize, water, and mow, mow, mow mow in the summer. In fact, Carex pansa, commonly referred to as California Dune Sedge, or California Meadow Sedge, can be kept 1.5 to 2 inches high with three to four mowing per year. Great, Right?
More info about Carex Pansa
USDA Zones 6 to 9.
Habit: creeping native sedge. Tuft forming habit spreads slowly by rhizomes.
Of interest: it’s native to coastal dunes but is considered versatile and dependable elsewhere. Exposure: Sun to part shade.
Tolerates: clay soils and inland heat.
Planting: For meadow/lawn space 12 inches apart.
Flowers: to 12 inches.
Attracts: Butterflies.
Happy Gardening!
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