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 |