Bristly Sedge, Longhair Sedge, Bottlebrush Sedge
Carex comosa (Bristly Sedge) is a vigorous clump-forming sedge forming a large tuft of leaves and flowering culms. It produces arching, lustrous lime green leaves, up to 18 in. long (45 cm), along the entire length of the culms up to the inflorescence. From late spring to early summer, each fertile triangular culm, 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm), rises well above the foliage bearing large lime-green bottlebrush-shaped spikes. Turning golden brown when ripe, they attract many wetland birds, including the American Coot, Wilson Snipe, several rails, many ducks, and the Swamp Sparrow. The root system is fibrous and short-rhizomatous. Native to North America, this moisture-loving plant is one of the most ornamental sedges that can be used in rain gardens. Slow-growing, it is an excellent choice for a water garden, wetland garden, or near ponds and streams.
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Ornamental Grasses, Perennials |
| Plant Family | Cyperaceae |
| Genus | Carex |
| Common names | Sedge |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Spacing |
18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average, High |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, California, Northeast, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas, Montana |
| Tolerance | Deer, Wet Soil |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
| Hardiness |
4 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Ornamental Grasses, Perennials |
| Plant Family | Cyperaceae |
| Genus | Carex |
| Common names | Sedge |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Spacing |
18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average, High |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, California, Northeast, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas, Montana |
| Tolerance | Deer, Wet Soil |
| Attracts | Birds |
| Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
How many Carex comosa (Bristly Sedge) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Carex comosa (Bristly Sedge) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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