Early Fen Sedge - Carex crawfordii

Carex crawfordii, also known as Early Fen or Crawford's Sedge, is a perennial sedge native to Michigan but more common in the Upper Peninsula. This is my unicorn - a clump-forming sedge that likes dry, sandy soil. But wait, the name contains "Fen" and fens are wet. This sedge can do both habitats with style. In fact, it is reported as favoring Lake Superior dune areas in addition to the richer moist soils in fens, swamps, and bogs; disturbed areas; and forest edges. We met it when we cleared an area for our greenhouse. It likes the moist clay behind the greenhouse as much as it likes the sandy subsoil in front, also the dry sandy loam of our vegtable garden and the moist soil of the adjacent vernal pond edge. Full sun to part shade.
 
This sedge is a nice height of 18 inches in our experience, although other sources suggest it can reach 3 feet tall. It has attractive foliage and interesting bronze seedheads. Sedges are the host plants for skipper and duskywing butterflies. They also provide seeds for birds and resources for other insects. Every garden should have sedges!