Tussock Sedge
Carex stricta
Builds its own mound over the years, a sculptural hummock that rises above wet ground. Fountain-form structure for rain gardens and low spots.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
The tussock-building habit is unique. it creates real sculptural architecture over time in wet sites where most plants just survive.
Tussock Sedge builds something most plants can't: a tussock. Over years, the dense clump elevates itself on a mound of accumulated root and stem material, creating a hummock that rises above standing water in its natural wet-meadow habitat. In the garden, this means a slowly expanding architectural form: a rounded, upright grass mound that adds genuine sculptural presence to rain gardens and wet sites. The narrow, bright-green blades arch gracefully outward from the central clump, and the combination of upright center and arching edges gives it a fountain-like quality. It handles everything from seasonally inundated ground to reliably moist rain garden centers, handling conditions that challenge or kill most ornamentals. Bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds use the dead leaf bases for nesting material. The dense structure provides habitat for frogs, salamanders, and invertebrates. Plant it where the ground stays reliably moist. This is one of the best structural plants for those challenging low spots.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown tussock sedge propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
Plant tussock sedge instead of Common reed (Phragmites australis), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Same job in the garden, without the spread.
- Sun
- Part sun
- Water
- Wet
- Mature size
- 2–3.5 ft · 18–30 in wide
- USDA zones
- 3–8
- Family
- Cyperaceae
- Native range
- Eastern North America, from Newfoundland south to Georgia and west to Kansas; wet meadows and marshes
Care notes for tussock sedge.
Plant in full sun to part shade in consistently wet to moist soil. Tolerates seasonal flooding. Builds its characteristic tussock form over 3–5 years. give it space and don't cut back the accumulated material at the base. Trim the foliage back in late winter. No division needed; does not spread aggressively. No fertilizer needed.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside tussock sedge.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
For gardeners who have an abundance of passion but are short on space, this package features tidy, upright, clump-forming natives that behave and function well in small spaces.
Shade Bed Package
Ferns, sedges, and woodland natives that thrive under existing trees.
Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.