Deciduous Perennial Clump-Forming, Upright in the Cyperaceae Family
Buy Tussock Sedge
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A robust, clump-forming native sedge that thrives in consistently wet soil -- a staple of Midwest wetlands and rain gardens alike.
Carex stricta, commonly called Tussock Sedge, is a clump-forming, Illinois-native sedge found in sedge meadows, fens, and other wetlands across the Midwest and northeastern North America. Its narrow, arching leaves form dense tussocks that, in the wettest sites, build up above the surrounding water line over time.
Inconspicuous green flower spikes appear in spring, maturing to brown as they set seed. Tussock Sedge spreads by short rhizomes to form colonies, and its seeds are an important food source for waterfowl, while the dense tussocks provide cover for small wildlife such as the Sedge Wren.
Pros
Thrives in consistently wet, even standing-water, conditions
Illinois native that supports waterfowl and other wetland wildlife
Deer and rabbit resistant
Forms dense colonies over time, useful for erosion control in wet soil
Cons
Does not tolerate dry soil
Flowers are inconspicuous, offering little ornamental color
Spreads by rhizomes and can become aggressive in ideal conditions
Why Like
In the wild, Tussock Sedge is a foundation species of Midwest sedge meadows and fens, where its dense tussocks stabilize wet soils, its seeds feed ducks and other waterfowl, and its structure shelters the Sedge Wren and other wetland wildlife.
Highlights
Dense, clump-forming native sedge for wet meadows, rain gardens, and pond margins; tolerates standing water and seasonal flooding; supports waterfowl and other wetland wildlife; deer and rabbit resistant.
Plant Data
Mature Size
24 - 36 inches
tall. 18 - 24 inches
wide.
Growth Rate
Fast
Sun Exposure
Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance
Medium - Wet
Zones
3a - 8b
(Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags
Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Full Sun, Grasses, Illinois Native, Medium, Most Popular, Native to North America, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
Pairs well with other wetland and rain garden natives such as Iris versicolor (Blue Flag Iris), Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead), and Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia).
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
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.
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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!
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