Quill Sedge
Carex tenera
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
6"–18" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, CO, CT, IA and 29 more states
Quill sedge is a delicate native grass that forms small, neat clumps with fine-textured foliage. It produces inconspicuous flower spikes in late spring and early summer, then goes dormant in winter like most cool-season grasses.
In an HOA neighborhood
Quill 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 seeds for songbirds and small mammals in fall. The fine foliage offers nesting material and shelter for beneficial insects.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Quill Sedge fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.