water sedge
Carex aquatilis
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles moist to wet soil
Sizeup to 5 feet tall
- Habit
- Grass/grass-like
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Bloom color
- White , green , brown
- Foliage color
- Green
Garden uses
Notes
Water sedge (Carex aquatilis) is a grass for meadow plantings. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and moist to wet soil. It forms a clumpy mound that can reach 60 inches tall. Thick, smooth stems rise slightly above the leaves and carry stiff, erect brown or blackish spikes in mid to late summer. It works well in wetland restoration projects.
Pairs well with American mountain mint, Cranberry, and Stiff goldenrod.
Native range
AK, AZ, CA, CO, and 41 more places. See all 45
AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SD, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY; AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK, and YT.