{"product_id":"tussock-sedge","title":"Tussock Sedge","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarex stricta\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wet meadows, marsh edges, rain gardens, bioswales, restoration plantings, naturalistic prairies, soil stabilization on wet slopes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e A keystone species of eastern North American wet meadows, Tussock Sedge forms the distinctive raised pedestals — or \"tussocks\" — that define healthy sedge meadow ecosystems. Vigorous and dense, it stabilizes wet soils, suppresses invasive weeds, and supports an exceptional range of insects, amphibians, and birds. The fine-textured arching foliage glows green in summer and turns warm bronze in fall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–7\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun to Partial Sun\/Shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy Perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clumping, Mounding — forms raised tussocks of fine arching foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Green, maturing to Bronze in fall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1–2 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSummary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTussock Sedge is the structural backbone of the eastern North American sedge meadow. Mature plants form distinctive raised mounds — the tussocks — that create the textured, hummocked appearance of natural wetland meadows. In a restoration or naturalistic planting, no other species captures that signature look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach plant produces dense, fine-textured arching foliage that reaches two to three feet tall and forms a tight clump roughly one to two feet across at the base. Over time, repeated growth cycles cause the crown to lift slightly above the surrounding soil, creating the elevated tussock form. The foliage glows fresh green through the growing season and ages to a warm coppery bronze in fall, persisting for winter interest before being cut back in late winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond its visual impact, Tussock Sedge is a genuine ecological powerhouse. It is the larval host for dozens of moth and butterfly species, provides cover and nesting sites for waterfowl and amphibians, and stabilizes wet soils against erosion. In a properly designed wet meadow planting, it creates the matrix that holds the rest of the community together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTussock Sedge Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Tussock Sedge in consistently moist to wet soil in full sun to partial shade. It is at its best in saturated or seasonally flooded soils and tolerates standing water along pond and marsh margins. While it accepts ordinary garden moisture once established, it does not perform well in dry sites — its place is in the wet end of the landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoil type is largely unimportant as long as moisture is sufficient. The plant is at home in heavy clay, silt, organic muck, and any other wet soil. No fertilization is necessary in healthy native or naturalized soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut back foliage in late winter before new growth emerges — the dried bronze leaves provide winter texture but should be removed annually. Mature tussocks can be divided in spring if desired, though most plantings benefit from leaving the tussocks intact. Tussock Sedge has no significant pest or disease issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Tussock Sedge for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Tussock Sedge ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact Almanac Planting Co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003econtact us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Large Does Tussock Sedge Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTussock Sedge reaches two to three feet tall and one to two feet wide at the base, gradually forming the elevated mounds that give the species its name. In ideal wet conditions, mature tussocks can persist for many decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are some common names for this plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plant is commonly known as Tussock Sedge, Upright Sedge, and Hassock Sedge. All three names reference the raised, hummocky form mature plants develop in wet meadows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a \"tussock\" and why does this sedge form one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA tussock is a raised pedestal or hummock formed when a clumping plant repeatedly grows new shoots from its previous year's crown. Over time, the accumulated growth lifts the plant slightly above surrounding soil, creating the characteristic raised form. Tussock Sedge is the namesake — and one of the most reliable producers — of this growth pattern in North American wetlands. Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/native-plants\"\u003eNative Plants of North America\u003c\/a\u003e collection for more wetland species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Tussock Sedge deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Sedges are generally unpalatable to deer and Tussock Sedge is considered deer resistant. Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/deer-resistant-perennials-grasses\"\u003eDeer-Resistant Perennials and Grasses\u003c\/a\u003e collection for more options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat wildlife does Tussock Sedge support?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTussock Sedge is a host plant for dozens of moth and butterfly species, including several skippers and the rare Black Dash and Mulberry Wing skippers. The dense tussocks provide cover and nesting sites for waterfowl, amphibians, and small mammals. As a foundational species in healthy wet meadows, it supports more biodiversity than almost any other native sedge. Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/grasses\"\u003eOrnamental Grasses\u003c\/a\u003e collection for additional options.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Almanac Planting Co","offers":[{"title":"1 Gallon \/ Ship ASAP","offer_id":47248538992802,"sku":"PN-CXST-1G-1yr","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/TussockSedge.jpg?v=1778155139","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/tussock-sedge","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}