David Feix Landscape Design
Shot of Carex pansa lawn to replace original fescue sod
For those contemplating replacing their existing lawn with Carex pansa or C. praegacilis, I would suggest thinking twice on the idea. As a result of three years cultivation of this Carex lawn, I have stopped using both Carex pansa and Carex praegacilis as alternative lawn substitutes. In my experience, they do not work with amended clay soils, locations that are too shaded in winter, soils that stay wet in winter, and aren't really capable of taking regular foot traffic. Well respected California native plant nurseries such as Las Pilatas Nursery advise that these species require sandy, well drained full sun situations, and will not take heavy foot traffic. They also are not really drought tolerant, and prefer at least weekly irrigation and available moisture year round within the top foot of soil/sand.
This photo was taken approximately 18 months after initial planting, and is looking the best/most full it ever did. Every winter the parts in the rear that saw no winter sun would die out. It just required too much work and continual dividing/replanting to have it look good year round. This lawn had required some initial dividing/replanting after both winters, when the Carex was under greatest stress.
On the other hand, lawns I have planted with Carex divulsa, or commonly known as Berkeley Sedge, and functioned very well for many years. This species is a much taller growing and coarser looking Sedge, and also gets much taller in bloom, so needs more frequent mowing to keep at 4 inch height. I recommend mowing at least once a month from April into October. This species is also much more tolerant of winter wet clay soils and summer drought. It is not a completely no-mow lawn substitute, because it will get 18 inches tall in summer bloom.
Shot of Carex pansa lawn to replace original fescue sod
For those contemplating replacing their existing lawn with Carex pansa or C. praegacilis, I would suggest thinking twice on the idea. As a result of three years cultivation of this Carex lawn, I have stopped using both Carex pansa and Carex praegacilis as alternative lawn substitutes. In my experience, they do not work with amended clay soils, locations that are too shaded in winter, soils that stay wet in winter, and aren't really capable of taking regular foot traffic. Well respected California native plant nurseries such as Las Pilatas Nursery advise that these species require sandy, well drained full sun situations, and will not take heavy foot traffic. They also are not really drought tolerant, and prefer at least weekly irrigation and available moisture year round within the top foot of soil/sand.
This photo was taken approximately 18 months after initial planting, and is looking the best/most full it ever did. Every winter the parts in the rear that saw no winter sun would die out. It just required too much work and continual dividing/replanting to have it look good year round. This lawn had required some initial dividing/replanting after both winters, when the Carex was under greatest stress.
On the other hand, lawns I have planted with Carex divulsa, or commonly known as Berkeley Sedge, and functioned very well for many years. This species is a much taller growing and coarser looking Sedge, and also gets much taller in bloom, so needs more frequent mowing to keep at 4 inch height. I recommend mowing at least once a month from April into October. This species is also much more tolerant of winter wet clay soils and summer drought. It is not a completely no-mow lawn substitute, because it will get 18 inches tall in summer bloom.