Dane County Extension Teaching Garden

Carex albicans

Native Oak Sedge; White-tinged Sedge

Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

· Hardiness Zones: 4-8

· Height: 12-18 inches

· Spread: 12-18 inches

· Bloom Time: May

· Bloom: showy scaly flower spikes with white margins may be green, brown or tan; flowering stems rise up to 20 inches tall

· Light: part shade to full shade

· Soil: average clay, loam, or sand

· Moisture: medium; dry soil and drought tolerant once established

· Use: naturalize; massed for year-round foliage interest; turf-cover in difficult dry shaded areas

· Care: low maintenance

· Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

· Native to: United States in dry, rocky or sandy upland forests

· Notes: narrow, wispy, arching, bright green leaf blades in tufts; delicate mounding appearance

· Supplier: Landscape Designs, Inc.

· Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H173

Content produced through:

Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Questions?

Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program

Carex amphibola

Creek Sedge; Eastern Narrowleaf Sedge

Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge Family)

· Hardiness Zones: 3-9

· Height: 12-18 Inches

· Spread: 12-18 Inches

· Bloom Time: late spring

· Bloom: elongated green flower clusters distributed along scaly spikes

· Light: part shade to full shade

· Soil: moist, fertile, well-drained

· Moisture: medium to wet

· Use: woodland or shade or meadow gardens, rain gardens, ground cover, erosion control

· Care: low maintenance

· Concerns: no serious insect or disease problems

· Native to: Eastern North America

· Notes: grows in compact fountain-shaped mounds; shiny narrow green leaves are semi-evergreen in mild conditions; may self-seed; seeds eaten by turtles; deer and rabbit resistant; attracts butterflies; larval host to some Skippers

· Supplier: Landscape Designs, Inc.

· Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H179

Content produced through:

Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Questions?

Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program

Monarda bradburiana 'Prairie Gypsy'

Bee Balm 'Prairie Gypsy'

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

· Hardiness Zones: 4-8

· Height: 18-24 inches

· Spread: 18-24 inches

· Bloom Time: mid-June

· Bloom: 2.5-3 inch fragrant, deep magenta-pink compound blooms atop square stems (2 feet); up to 50 tubular, two-lipped flowers per flowerhead; flowers nest on a whorl of purple-tinged leafy bracts; nut-like seed per flower; small, grayish purple spent flower heads extend the season of interest

· Light: full sun to part shade; flowers best in full sun

· Soil: average well-drained, gritty, slightly acidic; tolerates shallow rocky soil

· Moisture: medium to medium dry; drought resistant once established

· Use: naturalizing; borders; rain, gravel, rock, meadow, herb and pollinator gardens; cut flowers; scented foliage used in teas and traditional herbal medicine

· Care: plants need good air circulation; deadhead flowers to prolong bloom; immediately cut out any stems showing signs of mildew; cut back and clean spent foliage before winter

· Concerns: poor resistance to powdery mildew; lower leaves drop if dry; aphids, moth larvae, and leaf beetles may damage leaves

· Native to: species native to southern and central United States

· Notes: a variety of the native Monarda bradburiana; tightly compact, clump-forming; less prone to spread that other Monardas; pairs of aromatic, minty-scented, finely-serrated, oblong, grey-green and hair-covered leaves opposite one another on stems; burgundy fall color; can self-seed; attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bumblebees, and other beneficial insects; larval host to several moth species; deer resistant

· Supplier: Landscape Designs, Inc.

· Teaching Garden Location & Code: Naturalistic Garden H169

Content produced through:

Dane County UWEX Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Questions?

Dane County UWEX Horticulture Program