Choosing the Right Plants for Your Ecologically Balanced Community
Native grass, sedge, and rush enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, and support local wildlife. While these plant species may seem similar, there are some key differences that may influence your decisions on where to use them. Understanding the differences can help you create a thriving ecologically balanced community.
Whether you are a professional landscaper, someone working on restoration projects, or a home gardener, knowing the differences between different grass, sedge, and rush species can help you to successfully transform your outdoor space. Before we dig into these key differences, it’s important to understand the benefits of selecting native species vs. non-native species.
Why Choosing Native Plants Is Important
A native plant is exactly what it sounds like—a species that occurs naturally in a region or ecosystem. It wasn’t introduced later by humans (That’s a non-native species). Many native plants have evolved over thousands of years in their specific locations, and have well adapted to the environment.
Native grass, sedge, and rush provide several advantages.
- Support for local wildlife and habitats—Native plants offer a natural habitat for the local wildlife. Birds, bees, butterflies, and mammals can all find shelter. It becomes easier for wildlife to find their natural food source.
- Soil stability that prevents erosion—Whether you select native grass, sedge, or rush, you’ll have plants with an extensive root system that protects the soil from erosion. These roots improve the soil’s ability to absorb and retain water, minimizing the effects of flooding.
- Low maintenance and resilience—Grass, sedge, and rush are a highly resilient bunch. They’ve adapted to the local environments over thousands of years, giving them the ability to tolerate droughts, poor soils, or even extreme temperature swings of the Midwest. Sedge and rush can be highly effective at tolerating soil conditions that other plants will not.
- Less water—Because native plants are adapted to local precipitation patterns, they often require less irrigation. This makes them a more efficient choice, consuming less resources.
- Pest and disease resistance—Native plants tend to be more resistant to local pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Cultural importance—Native plants can hold significant cultural or historical importance, especially when they’ve been in an area for thousands of years.
These are the reasons why we provide native grass, sedge, and rush at Pizzo Native Plant Nursery. Now it’s important to understand a little more about each of these native species and what makes them distinct.
Understanding the Differences Between Native Grasses, Sedges, and Rushes
When you look at these plants, it’s easy to see them as similar and in many ways they are. All three are “graminoids,” which is a way of saying that they are grass-like in appearance. Yet each belongs to their own distinct family, with unique characteristics, and thriving in different types of environments. Understanding what makes them different can help you to make the right choice for your outdoor area.
Native Grass (Poaceae Family)
Grasses are the most familiar of the three groups, with an easily recognizable appearance. They are members of the Poaceae family and dominate a variety of ecosystems including prairies, meadows, lawns, and savannas.
Key characteristics:
- Stem: Hollow and round, with noticeable joints (nodes).
- Leaves: Usually grow from the base, have parallel veins, and form at the nodes.
- Flowers: Appear in spikes, often wind pollinated.
Common Varieties of Grasses
- Calamagrostis canadensis (Blue Joint Grass)—An adaptable cool season clumping grass with a blue-green cast to the foliage. It will reach about four feet high and can commonly be found in wet or moist prairies.
- Deschampsia caespitosa (Tufted Hairgrass)—A delicate clumping cool season grass that thrives in prairies and savannas, and does best in moist soils. The dark green foliage is semi-evergreen and makes an attractive border plant.
- Eragrostis spectabilis (Purple Love Grass)—A short clumping warm season grass that prefers prairie and savanna environments with sandy or gravel soils. Airy purple seed heads appear in late August and give it a cloudlike appearance.
- Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed)—One of the most beloved prairie grasses due to its unique characteristics. The dense tufts of leaves stem from a center point and create an image of a fountain as they hang over the circumference of the main stalk. Found in mesic areas as well as reaching into drier areas,
- Glyceria striata (Fowl Manna Grass)—An adaptable cool season grass that reaches about three feet and can thrive in all situations. It blooms in midsummer and the flowers mature to a light tan color.
Native Sedge (Cyperaceae Family)
Native sedge belongs to the Cyperaceae family. Sedges can be found everywhere from wetland to upland sites and prairies to woodlands. Sedge typically has a triangular stem that distinguishes it from grass.
Key characteristics:
- Stem: Triangular and solid, not jointed.
- Leaves: Grow in threes, often broader than grass leaves.
- Flowers: Lack petals and are arranged in dense spikes or clusters, pollinated by the wind.
Common Varieties of Native Sedge
- Carex bebbii (Bebb’s Oval Sedge)—A cool season clumping sedge commonly found in wet prairies. It typically reaches about three feet high with a delicate texture and fat seed heads that ripen in the beginning of July.
- Carex brevior (Plains Oval Sedge)—An exceptionally adaptable sedge that thrives in sun or shade in wet or dry soils. Delicate mid-green leaves fountain from the center and oval tan seed heads arrive in late spring.
- Carex Rosea (Curly -Styled Wood Sedge)—An adaptable woodland sedge, Curly-styled Wood Sedge forms clumps of delicate foliage. A slight rose tint to the starry seedheads give its name. It thrives in mesic to dry soils and is a good choice for a dry shade garden. Its seeds are consumed by a variety of birds
- Carex woodi (Pretty Sedge)—Pretty Sedge can be found in wet-mesic to mesic woodlands with rich soil. It is clump forming, although it also spreads through rhizomes. It has an upright growth habit and grows during the cool season
- Carex muskingumensis (Palm Sedge)—Typically found in savannas, Palm Sedge thrives in wet-mesic to dry-mesic soils and will form robust colonies with consistent moisture. An interesting sedge for the rain garden, its spreading leaf blades resemble palm fronds. Long brown seedheads nod slightly.
Native Rush (Juncaceae Family)
Rush is a member of the Juncaceae family and is most frequently found in wetland areas. While rush may resemble grass in their upright, linear growth, they are easily distinguished by their round, solid stems. They are extremely hardy and often used in ecological restoration due to their ability to survive in poor, waterlogged soils.
Key characteristics:
- Stem: Round and solid, without joints.
- Leaves: Cylindrical or flat, often arising from the base.
- Flowers: Small and inconspicuous, clustered at the tips of stems.
Common Varieties of Native Rush
- Eleocharis palustris (Great Spike Rush)—A rush species found in all manner of wetlands. The height may be dependent on the depth of the water, but it can reach up to four feet.
- Juncus tenuis (Path Rush)—A short, very fine textured clumping rush that thrives in prairies and savannas. Tiny flower clusters form small seed capsules. The seeds then become sticky when wet, and are dropped along the edges of the path.
- Juncus torreyi (Torrey’s Rush)—A short rush that can be found in wet prairies and does best with consistent moisture. It can become aggressive in the right conditions, with fluffy flowers that mature into bristly clusters of seedheads in the autumn months.
- Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (Great Bulrush)—Forming slowly spreading clumps, Great Bulrush is typified by soft, gracefully, arching stems topped by flowing, rusty-brown inflorescences spring through summer. The tallest bulrush in Illinois, and important food for many wetland birds
- Schoenoplectus pungens (Chairmaker’s Rush)—Found in marshes, fens, and other moist areas, Chairmaker’s Rush is used for stabilizing shorelines and other restorations. They are produce through tubers and seeds and can spread quite aggressively. Their extremely upright growth pattern provides excellent cover.
Which Native Plant is Right for My Outdoor Area?
Choosing between native grass, sedge, and rush depends on the specific conditions of your site. Soil type, moisture levels, sunlight, and intended use will all play a determining factor. Here’s a breakdown of the ideal environments for each plant group:
Native Grass
Native grass typically prefers full sun, but some types tolerate partial shade. Most thrive in well-drained soils, while a few species can tolerate clay, or wet conditions.
Native grasses range from drought-tolerant to moisture-loving. They are ideal for prairies, meadows, roadsides, or open spaces. It’s easy to use native grasses to create a visually stunning natural landscape. They can create beautiful visual displays, especially in the fall as they give off golden or reddish hues. They can be used ornamentally, to create wildlife habitats, or for erosion control on dry slopes.
Native Sedge
Sedge tends to thrive in partial shade environments, while some species can tolerate full sun. They prefer moist, wet, and well-compacted soils. This makes them an ideal choice for bogs, wetlands, and rain gardens.
Sedge is extremely moisture-tolerant, with some species even thriving in waterlogged conditions. They can be ideal dense ground cover and areas with poor drainage.
Native Rush
Rush typically thrives in full sun or special shade. It’s tolerant of poor, compacted soils, and can be found in areas with heavy clay or consistently saturated soils. Rush is best suited for wetlands, ponds, drainage areas, and other consistently wet environments. It’s often found in areas with seasonal flooding. It’s a great plant for managing stormwater areas and preventing erosion.
Who Should Use Native Grass, Sedge, and Rush?
These plants are suitable for a wide range of applications including home gardening, landscape design, or ecological restoration projects.
- Home Gardening: For those looking to create a backyard oasis that supports local wildlife and requires less maintenance, native plants offer a rewarding option.
- Landscape Design: Landscape designers focusing on sustainable, resilient landscapes will appreciate the adaptability and ecological benefits of these native plants.
- Ecological Restoration: For those involved in habitat restoration, stormwater management, or erosion control projects, native grass, sedge, and rush are invaluable.
Buy Your Native Plants from a Trusted Resource
Native grass, sedge, and rush offer a wealth of benefits. They are a practical solution for stabilizing soil on a slope, restoring wetlands, or creating a beautiful and low-maintenance garden. You’ll be creating a landscape and habitat that thrives with little maintenance or intervention.
It’s important that you purchase your native plants from a trusted resource that can help answer any of your plant questions. Pizzo Native Plant Nursery is a wholesale grower specializing in native plant plugs. Our nursery encompasses 40 acres of restored wetland and prairie habitat in Leland, Illinois. Visit where to buy to learn more about ordering native grass for your project.