Large Yellow Fox Sedge (Carex annectens)
KARE-ex annectens

Deciduous Perennial Clump-Forming in the Cyperaceae Family
A clump-forming wetland native valued for its golden-orange seed heads that brighten sedge meadows and pond margins in late summer.
Carex annectens (Large Yellow Fox Sedge, also called Yellow-fruit Sedge) is a native North American sedge forming firm, upright clumps rather than spreading colonies. Its 3-sided flowering stems rise well above the basal foliage, bearing green spikes in late spring that mature to striking golden to orange-brown seed casings (perigynia) by mid-to-late summer. Found naturally in sedge meadows, prairie swales, marsh edges, stream banks, and pond margins, it tolerates full sun to partial shade and prefers consistently moist soil, though it can take some seasonal drying once established. Its bright fruiting heads and tidy clumping habit make it a useful accent for rain gardens and wet meadow plantings.

Pros

  • Striking golden to orange-brown seed heads add late-summer color
  • Clump-forming habit stays tidy rather than spreading aggressively
  • Deer resistant native wetland sedge
  • Tolerates both full sun and partial shade

Cons

  • Requires consistently moist soil for best appearance
  • Green flowers in spring offer little color until seed heads mature
  • Listed as a species of special concern in parts of its native range due to habitat loss
Why Like Carex annectens is a native sedge-meadow species whose golden-orange seed heads provide late-season color and wildlife value, and whose populations have become locally uncommon in parts of its range due to prairie and wetland habitat loss.
Highlights
  • Among the showiest Carex seed heads in this genus, maturing to golden orange-brown
  • True clump-forming sedge, useful where a spreading habit is unwanted
  • Valuable for rain gardens, sedge meadows, and pond-margin plantings
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 36 inches tall. 18 - 24 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet: Prefers consistently moist soil but tolerates some seasonal drying once established; classified as a facultative wetland species.
Zones 2a - 9b (Usually hardy to -50° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Wildlife, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Full Sun, Good for Rain Garden, Grasses, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
Bloom Period May to June
Flower Color Green, maturing to Golden Orange-Brown
 

Plant Club Content
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with other wetland and sedge-meadow natives such as Iris versicolor (Blue Flag Iris), Vernonia fasciculata (Ironweed), Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset), and Carex vulpinoidea (Fox Sedge).
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!