Carex praegracilis - "The King of Grasses"

I will always remember what Dave Fross, owner of Native Sons Nursery, mentioned about Carex praegracilis during the California Native Plants course at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. He referred to Carex praegracilis as "The King of Grasses," and here are the reasons why.

Carex praegracilis is a native plant that is widespread across California, from San Diego up to the Oregon border. Its remarkable distribution and adaptation allow it to thrive in numerous climate zones. This versatility enables us to incorporate Carex in various locations, such as Carmel, Pebble Beach, and Big Sur, for example.

The adaptability of this plant is remarkable. It can serve as a turf that tolerates mowing and uses significantly less water than a traditional lawn. For those passionate about native plants, a Carex lawn is an excellent choice for a native garden. Carex praegracilis can also be incorporated into a meadow for a naturalistic design. We often add Santa Barbara Daisy, Yarrow, or Verbena 'De la Mina' to introduce color and interest to the meadow. Another excellent use for this plant is between stone joints, as it can withstand foot traffic. Its slender blades provide a striking contrast to stone steps or when highlighting a boulder.

This plant can be accurately described as low maintenance and easy to grow. Carex praegracilis spreads through rhizomes and needs to be trimmed once a year during the summer drought. After trimming, provide it with some extra water and nutrients to promote new growth. Having grown Carex praegracilis in my yard for years with minimal attention, I must agree with my former professor at Cal Poly SLO that it truly is "The King of Grasses".