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Georgia Bulrush

Scirpus georgianus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Georgia Bulrush (Scirpus georgianus)
Photo: (c) agujaceratops, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by agujaceratops

Toxicity unknown

Georgia Bulrush (Scirpus georgianus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Georgia Bulrush as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

12"–48" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, CT, GA and 26 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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great PlainsSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Scirpus georgianus is a native sedge that forms upright clumps of narrow, grass-like foliage. It produces small brown flower clusters in summer and thrives in consistently moist to wet conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Georgia Bulrush takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Requires consistently wet conditions that may create drainage concerns
  • Appearance may be too wild or weedy for formal landscapes
  • Brown seed heads can look untidy

Wildlife value

This plant provides habitat and food for waterfowl and supports various wetland insects. The seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals.

Common questions

How much sun does Georgia Bulrush need?
Georgia Bulrush grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Georgia Bulrush bloom?
Georgia Bulrush blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Georgia Bulrush native?
Georgia Bulrush (Scirpus georgianus) is native to AL, AR, CT, GA and 26 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Georgia Bulrush toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Georgia Bulrush as toxic to livestock.
Is Georgia Bulrush HOA-friendly?
Georgia Bulrush takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Georgia Bulrush? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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