Carex stricta
Tussock Sedge
Please register or login to build your personal plant list.Tussock Sedge is a clump-forming, wildlife-friendly sedge adapted to grow in or near water. It has grass-like leaves and reddish-brown flowers,...
Description:
Tussock Sedge is a clump-forming, wildlife-friendly sedge adapted to grow in or near water. It has grass-like leaves and reddish-brown flowers, which bloom on spikes, May-June. It spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form colonies. As the old leaves die, they build up around the living plant, making a “tussock” or little hill. The tussocks trap water, helping other aquatic plants to establish. Tussock Sedge provides habitat for wildlife, including frogs, toads, salamanders, ducks, herons, rails, snipes and sparrows. Birds use its leaves and stems to build nests and also feed on its seeds. Tussock Sedge is a host for butterfly and moth larvae (caterpillars), including Eyed Brown (Satyrodes eurydice), Mulberry Wing (Poanes massasoit), and Black Dash (Euphyes conspicua). Use it in moist to wet areas of the yard and in areas affected by seasonal flooding. Plant it in rain gardens or along edges of ponds or water gardens. It can also be used as an accent plant.
Plant Details:
Other Common Names: Upright Sedge
Plant Type: Grass, Groundcover
New Jersey Native: Yes
Bloom Times: Late Spring to Early Summer
Bloom Colors: Red, Brown
Deer Resistance: High
Attracts Pollinators and Wildlife: Butterflies, Birds
Salt Tolerance: Low to None
Hardiness Zone: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Physiographic Region: All Regions in NJ
Grows in Special Ecoregions: Pinelands
Soil Characteristics
Soil Type: Loam, Organic, Sandy
Soil Moisture: Moist, Wet
Soil pH: Acidic, Slightly Acidic, Neutral
Light Needs of Plant
Optimal Light: Full Sun
Light Range: Full Sun, Partial Shade
Water Needs of Plant
Soil Moisture: Moist, Wet
Drought Tolerance: Low
Size and Growth Rate
Height: 1 - 3 ft
Spread: 1 - 3 ft
Growth Rate: Medium