bristly sedge
Carex comosa
USDA zones3 to 10
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size2 to 3 feet tall1 to 3 feet wide
- Habit
- Grass/grass-like
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Green , brown
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Bristly sedge (Carex comosa) is a grass for low maintenance gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and average to moist, loamy or clay soil. Green and brown flowers appear in spring, summer, and autumn, and birds visit it. It is not a favorite of deer, though hungry deer will eat almost anything. It grows 24 to 36 inches tall and spreads 12 to 36 inches.
Pairs well with Swamp milkweed, Blue flag, and Cardinal flower.
Native range
AL, AR, CA, CT, and 38 more places. See all 42
AL, AR, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV; NB, NS, and ON.