tufted sedge
Carex elata
USDA zones4 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moderate or wet soil
Size1 to 2.5 feet tall1 to 2.5 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Arching
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Brown/copper
- Foliage color
- Gold/yellow, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Tufted sedge (Carex elata) is a grass for borders and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full or part sun and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Its arching, evergreen clump of gold, yellow, and green leaves grows 12 to 30 inches tall, with brown copper flowers in spring and early summer. It sits low on the menu for deer. Butterflies visit the flowers.
Pairs well with Switchgrass, Buttonbush, False indigo, and Inkberry.
Native range
Northern Africa, central and western Asia, and Europe.