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Sprengel's sedge

Carex sprengelii

Last reviewed: September 2026

Sprengel's sedge (Carex sprengelii) is a perennial grass native to CO, CT, DE, IA and 19 more states. It blooms in May and June.

Sprengel's sedge (Carex sprengelii)
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Toxicity unknown

Sprengel's sedge (Carex sprengelii) 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

part shade

Water

medium

Size

18"–30" H × 12"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

CO, CT, DE, IA and 19 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 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested MountainsSouthern RockiesHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Irregular PlainsNorthwestern Glaciated PlainsNorthwestern Great PlainsGreat PlainsNorthern Glaciated PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern ForestsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauNorthern PiedmontRidge and ValleyInterior River Valleys and HillsAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Cool-season sedge forming graceful arching clumps with drooping, bristly seed heads. Found in rich woodland soils and along shaded streambanks.

Growing Sprengel's sedge

Grow Sprengel's sedge in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 18 to 30 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Seeds provide food for songbirds; the arching foliage offers early-season ground cover in woodland gardens.

Common questions

How much sun does Sprengel's sedge need?
Sprengel's sedge grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Sprengel's sedge bloom?
Sprengel's sedge blooms in May and June.
Where is Sprengel's sedge native?
Sprengel's sedge (Carex sprengelii) is native to CO, CT, DE, IA and 19 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

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

Ready to grow Sprengel's sedge? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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