What hardiness zones is Carex frankii suitable for?

Carex frankii is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Carex frankii?

Carex frankii requires Full Sun.

How much water does Carex frankii need?

Carex frankii has High water needs.

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Grasses

Carex frankii

Frank's Sedge

Cyperaceae

Central and eastern North America — from New York south to Florida and west to Texas, in wet ditches, floodplains, and streambanks

At a Glance

TypeSedge

HabitClumping

FoliageDeciduous

Height12-24 inches (30-60 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8

Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant

Native to North America

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Carex frankii is Frank's sedge in the Cyperaceae family — a native wet-soil sedge with miniature cattail-like seed heads, growing 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Named after Joseph Frank, the German botanist. The species carries fat bristly cylindrical spikelets that closely resemble tiny cattails (Typha) — a seed head form that no other common sedge produces and is highly ornamental. The bristly seed heads are green in summer, aging to brown in fall, and persisting through winter. Medium green wide upright to arching leaves. Thrives in wet to waterlogged conditions — ditches, floodplains, streambanks, and rain gardens. Tolerates standing water and clay. Clumping habit. Sun to partial shade. Hardy to zone 4. The mini-cattail seed heads make this a recognizable wet-soil sedge. Deer avoid sedge foliage.

Native Range

Carex frankii is native to central and eastern North America — from New York south to Florida and west to Texas.

Suggested Uses

Used in rain gardens, streambanks, wet meadows, and bioswales. The miniature cattail seed heads are the primary feature. A conversation-piece sedge. Wet-soil native with recognizable ornamental value.

How to Identify

Identified by fat bristly cylindrical spikelets resembling miniature cattails on a medium-sized clump in wet conditions. The mini-cattail seed head form is diagnostic — no other common sedge produces this shape. Wet-soil habitat.