Prairie Sedge (Carex bicknellii)
KARE-ex bicknellii

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Clump-Forming, Tufted in the Cyperaceae Family
Spikelets are extended at the base like an ice cream cone. Wide winged seed sacs are translucent. Attracts game, songbirds and small mammals. Not salt tolerant
Carex bicknellii (Prairie Sedge, also called Bicknell's Sedge or Copper-Shouldered Oval Sedge) is a native North American sedge forming upright, tufted clumps of fine-textured green to blue-green foliage, reaching 1.5 to 3 feet tall including its flowering stalks. In late spring, inconspicuous yellowish-green spikelets give way to the plant's signature feature: wide, winged, papery seed sacs that mature to a distinctive copper-brown and are extended at the base like a small ice cream cone. Found natively in both dry upland prairies and wetter river-bottom prairies across much of the central and eastern United States, it tolerates a wider range of moisture than most sedges and is notably more drought-tolerant once established. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to clay, loam, and sandy soils, making it a versatile choice for prairie plantings, rain gardens, and naturalized borders. The seed heads and foliage provide food and cover for grassland birds, small mammals, and other wildlife.

Pros

  • Distinctive copper-brown, winged seed heads add unique texture and color
  • Tolerates both dry upland soil and wetter river-bottom conditions
  • Deer resistant and attracts birds and small mammals
  • Adapts to clay, loam, and sandy soils

Cons

  • Foliage may die back during hot, dry summers
  • Inconspicuous flowers offer little ornamental spring color
  • Occasionally browsed by deer and other grazing mammals despite general deer resistance
Why Like A true Midwestern prairie native, Carex bicknellii supports grassland wildlife with its seed and foliage, and its distinctive copper seed heads make it easy to spot and enjoy in native plantings.
Highlights
  • Signature copper-brown, ice-cream-cone-shaped seed sacs are a standout feature among sedges
  • One of the more drought-tolerant Carex species, while still tolerating wetter sites
  • Native Illinois prairie species valued for wildlife and rain garden use
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 18 - 36 inches tall. 18 - 24 inches wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Wet: Tolerates dry to wet conditions and is more drought-tolerant than many other Carex species once established; also grows well in seasonally wet river-bottom prairies.
Zones 3a - 7b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Wildlife, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, 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 April to July
Flower Color Yellowish-Green, maturing to Copper-Brown
Foliage Color Green
 

Plant Club Content
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with prairie companions such as Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower), Liatris spicata (Blazing Star), Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem), and Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan).
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Pricing and Availability History

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

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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.


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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!