Carex grayi (Mace Sedge)

With seed heads resembling the medieval spiked clubs, Carex grayi (Mace Sedge) is a very distinctive ornamental grass that adds long-lasting interest to the garden.

With seed heads resembling the medieval spiked clubs, Carex grayi (Mace Sedge) is a very distinctive ornamental grass that adds long-lasting interest to the garden. Rising above a pleated, grass-like, semi-evergreen foliage that is light green in full sun (darker in light shade), its conspicuous and unique mace-like flower spikes clearly draw attention in early summer and remain attractive well into winter. They emerge pale green and turn chocolate as they mature. Native to North America, this moisture-loving plant provides year-round visual interest and is a food source for many bird species.

  • Growing easily in a clump up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 24 in. wide (60 cm), Carex grayi enjoys full sun, tolerates light shade, and thrives in moisture-retentive soils. Wet soil tolerant!
  • This is an unusual accent plant for beds and borders, containers, rain gardens, bog gardens, and near ponds and streams where it adds wonderful character and texture to plant combinations. Perfect for fresh or dried flower arrangements!
  • Drought tolerant, once established, Mace Sedge requires very little care. This ornamental grass will re-seed under satisfactory conditions.
  • Deer resistant
  • Propagate through seeding in the fall and division in the spring

Requirements

Hardiness 4
– 8

Heat Zones 1
– 8

Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Carex – Sedges
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 12″
– 20″
(30cm
– 50cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow