Button Sedge
Carex bullata
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
part shade
Water
high
Size
12"–24" H × 8"–16" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 10 more states
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Carex bullata is a native sedge that forms neat, compact clumps with arching green foliage. This moisture-loving perennial thrives in partial shade and produces small, inconspicuous flowers from late spring through summer.
In an HOA neighborhood
Button Sedge is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
This sedge provides habitat and nesting material for birds, while its seeds feed various songbirds and small mammals.
Common questions
- How much sun does Button Sedge need?
- Button Sedge grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Button Sedge bloom?
- Button Sedge blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Button Sedge native?
- Button Sedge (Carex bullata) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 10 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Button Sedge HOA-friendly?
- Button Sedge is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Button Sedge? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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