How much sun does Hairy Umbrella-sedge need?

Hairy Umbrella-sedge grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Hairy Umbrella-sedge bloom?

Hairy Umbrella-sedge blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Hairy Umbrella-sedge native?

Hairy Umbrella-sedge (Fuirena squarrosa) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Hairy Umbrella-sedge HOA-friendly?

Hairy Umbrella-sedge takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Hairy Umbrella-sedge

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Fuirena squarrosa

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Hairy Umbrella-sedge (Fuirena squarrosa) 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.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

6"–24" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 15 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 452 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

Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Piedmont Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Southern Coastal Plain Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Hairy umbrella-sedge is a native wetland perennial that forms small clumps of narrow, grass-like foliage. It produces clusters of small brown flower heads on slender stems during summer and fall, thriving in consistently moist to wet soils.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: backyard only.

Grass-like appearance may look weedy to untrained eyes
Brown seed heads can appear messy
Requires consistently wet conditions uncommon in typical landscaping

Wildlife value

This sedge provides seeds for waterfowl and wetland birds, while its dense growth offers nesting habitat for small birds and shelter for amphibians.

Common questions

How much sun does Hairy Umbrella-sedge need?: Hairy Umbrella-sedge grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Hairy Umbrella-sedge bloom?: Hairy Umbrella-sedge blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Hairy Umbrella-sedge native?: Hairy Umbrella-sedge (Fuirena squarrosa) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Hairy Umbrella-sedge HOA-friendly?: Hairy Umbrella-sedge 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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