If you're looking to plant in a dry, shady area, Carex appalachica is a smart choice. This fine-textured sedge is native to woodlands in the U.S. from Maine to South Carolina and east to Kentucky. It's a true clump grower. The narrow, foot-long foliage lies in a sweeping mound six inches from the ground.

Appalachian Sedge works great in mass plantings, slopes, and especially as a low-maintenance lawn substitute. It is threatened and endangered in some areas, making it an attractive addition for conservation-minded gardeners and plant collectors. It will grow under many conditions, as long as it is planted in dry to average soil.