Carex crinita

Common Names

Fringed Sedge

Summary

Fringed Sedge is a North American native sedge that forms arching clumps from a rhizomatous base and typically reaches about 3 feet in height with strap-like leaves. The inflorescence features long, fringe-like drooping spikelets, with 1–3 staminate spikelets on top and 2–6 pistillate spikelets below; as seeds mature, spikelets droop and fruits are enclosed in perigynia, with pistillate scales bearing long awn-like tips. It grows in wetlands such as swamps, bogs, marshes, shores, and wet ditches across eastern and central North America and tolerates full sun to partial shade in wet to moist soils. In landscapes, Fringed Sedge provides erosion control and stabilization, suitable for rain gardens, bioswales, and shoreline plantings, and spreads by rhizomes to form large colonies. It can be propagated by division in spring or late fall, prefers moist to wet soils and sun to part shade, and is hardy in USDA zones 3–8.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-4 feet

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade; tolerates Partial Sun and Shade

Soil Type

Moist to wet soils

Soil Drainage

Moist to wet soils; tolerates standing water.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Medium-fast (strong grower)

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, butterflies, and moths