What hardiness zones is Scirpus cyperinus suitable for?

Scirpus cyperinus is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Scirpus cyperinus?

Scirpus cyperinus requires Full Sun.

How much water does Scirpus cyperinus need?

Scirpus cyperinus has High water needs.

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Grasses

Scirpus cyperinus

Woolgrass

Cyperaceae

Eastern North America — from Newfoundland south to Florida and west to Minnesota, in marshes, wet meadows, and pond margins

At a Glance

TypeSedge

HabitClumping

FoliageDeciduous

Height36-60 inches (90-150 cm)

Width24-36 inches (60-90 cm)

Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9

Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9

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

Scirpus cyperinus is woolgrass — a tall native bulrush named for its woolly seed heads, growing 36–60 inches (90–150 cm) tall and 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) wide. The common name 'woolgrass' describes the large drooping woolly terminal clusters of reddish-brown to cinnamon seed heads that appear from August through October. The woolly, fuzzy clusters are warm-toned (cinnamon to reddish-brown) — a different color and texture from the typical sedge or grass seed head. Medium green narrow arching foliage. Wet to waterlogged soil — marshes, wet meadows, pond margins. Tolerates standing water. Self-sows in wet conditions. Hardy to zone 3. The warm-toned woolly fall display has high ornamental value among native wetland plants. The genus Scirpus includes the common bulrushes (though many have been reclassified to Schoenoplectus).

Native Range

Scirpus cyperinus is native to eastern North America — from Newfoundland south to Florida and west to Minnesota.

Suggested Uses

Used in wetland restoration, rain gardens, pond margins, and wet meadows. A native bulrush with a warm-toned woolly fall display. Natural stormwater management.

How to Identify

Identified by large drooping woolly reddish-brown to cinnamon terminal seed clusters on a tall grass-like plant in wet conditions. The woolly, fuzzy, warm-toned clusters separate this from other wetland plants — no other commonly grown wetland species produces this texture and color. The 'woolgrass' description is the instant identifier.