What hardiness zones is Carex squarrosa suitable for?

Carex squarrosa is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Carex squarrosa?

Carex squarrosa requires Part Shade.

How much water does Carex squarrosa need?

Carex squarrosa has High water needs.

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Grasses

Carex squarrosa

Squarrose Sedge

Cyperaceae

Eastern North America — from Quebec south to Florida and west to Texas, in wet meadows and swamp edges

At a Glance

TypeSedge

HabitClumping

FoliageDeciduous

Height18-30 inches (45-75 cm)

Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8

Zone 3 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 squarrosa is squarrose sedge in the Cyperaceae family — a native wet-soil sedge with an unconventional seed head shape, growing 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. The species name 'squarrosa' means 'with parts spreading or recurved at right angles', describing the perigynia that spread outward in all directions to create round bristly ball-like spikelets — resembling tiny sea urchins or spiked balls. These round bristly heads are completely different from the cylindrical or catkin-like forms of other sedges. Green in summer aging to brown in fall, the bristly balls persist for months. Medium green arching foliage. Wet to waterlogged soil in partial shade to sun. Hardy to zone 3. Clumping habit. The sea-urchin seed heads make this a recognizable native sedge by silhouette. Deer avoid sedge foliage.

Native Range

Carex squarrosa is native to eastern North America — from Quebec south to Florida and west to Texas.

Suggested Uses

Used in rain gardens, wet meadows, streambanks, and as a conversation piece. The sea-urchin seed heads are the primary feature. Wet-soil native with recognizable ornamental value.

How to Identify

Identified by round bristly ball-like spikelets (like tiny sea urchins) with perigynia spreading in all directions. The round bristly ball form sets this species apart — no other common sedge produces this shape. Wet-soil habitat. The 'squarrose' name describes the spreading bristles.