The Secret to Non-Shabby Shade Sections: Sedges

One of the most common questions we receive from Johnson County residents when they receive their free soil test is what to do about bare spots where regular turf grass won't establish, especially in shaded areas and at the base of trees. The solution? Sedges. These shade-tolerant plants not only provide an alternative to a traditional lawn but also blend seamlessly with the turf, making them a practical and aesthetic choice for your landscaping needs.

When I talk about sedges, I'm not referring to nutsedge. Nutsedge, a member of the Cyperus genus, is an invasive weed native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. The sedges I'm recommending are Carex sedges. With over 600 species native to North America, including around 70 in Kansas, these sedges are a far cry from the invasive nutsedge. Many of these native sedges grow in river bottoms, along pond edges, and on woodland floors, and can thrive in almost any landscape condition.

Two of the most popular species often found at many retail stores in our area are white- tinged sedge (Carex albicans) and Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica). Sedges that can be found in the wild around your house include Leavenworth sedge (Carex leavenworthii) and wood sedge (Carex blanda). The textures of these sedges look so similar to grass that if you look closely at lawns that do not overseed or spray herbicides, you might find some of these species mixed into the lawn already.

The grass-like texture that sedges provide is excellent for filling in small bare spots in an area of dry shade. Not only can they grow and thrive in these areas, but they often do not need the irrigation and nitrogen that traditional lawns need to stay green. Another added benefit to having sedges as ground cover is their semi-evergreen qualities. Not all of them, but some of our sedges have visible, green growing points in the wintertime, when many of our lawns look brown. They will push out new green growth around similar times as our cool-season grasses and remain green through the hot summer months.

Sedges also need not be mowed as intensively as fescue or Kentucky bluegrass. Some species can keep their turf-like appearance by only being mowed 2- 3 times yearly. Using sedges as a mulch replacement is also an option if you are looking to add more green to your dry, shady space. The slow top growth and clumping growing habit make sedges the ideal planting at the base of trees if you are having trouble with mowers or string trimmers damaging the trunk of your lovely shade tree.

If you want your lawn to look like a golf course putting green, sedges will not be for you, and you should keep trying to use the shade mix, fertilizers, and pricey equipment to establish it. But if you want a full lawn with minimal bare spots, consider planting some sedge plugs in these areas.

by Markis Hill, Horticultural Ornamentals and Turf Agent, 2025