‘Bunny Blue’ spreading sedge is a native grass-like herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cypereaceae). It is found in Canada, through the central and southeastern United States, in the rich soils of forests, slopes, and floodplains. The species epithet is Latin for “lax stem” and refers to the inflorescences that are borne at an angle of more than 45 degrees from the vertical. ‘Bunny Blue’ spreading sedge is an easy-to-grow, evergreen, woodland plant. It likes partial or dappled shade and can even tolerate deep shade. It needs moist, humus-rich soil and does not mind occasional periods of wet soil. Nevertheless, it is drought-tolerant once established and tolerates dry shade. Grow ‘Bunny Blue’ in a woodland garden, a native garden or a wildlife garden (this species is used as a food plant for certain caterpillars). It can be used as a border plant or ground cover. It looks great planted along walkways, between paving stones or in a shady border. It is a good alternative to hostas. It will grow in a container. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems, but spider mites, aphids, thrips and rhizoctonia can be an issue. More information on Carex laxiculmis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Ground Cover; Herbaceous Perennial; Native Plant; Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Dense; Mounding; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are light green to a blue-green or silver-blue and grow in dense rounded clumps. The arching grass-like leaves are 12 to 14 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; White
Flower form
Insignificant; Spike
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Yellow/white flowers bloom in late spring/early summer (May to June). However, they are insignificant and not showy.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Stem detail
The flower stems are triangular and arching
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Attracts
Butterflies; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Achene
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Small Space; Walkways; Woodland
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Fairy Garden; Native Garden; Rain Garden; Rock Garden; Shade Garden; Water Garden