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Bowles Golden Sedge

Carex elata (KAY-reks ee-LAY-tah)

Family: Cyperaceae Non-native Herbaceous (3-15 ft)

Tufted sedge is an herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) that is native to Europe, central Asia and North Africa. The species epithet is Latin for “tall.” Tufted sedge grows easily in most fertile, acid soils, as long as the soil does not dry out. This is a wetland species that does not tolerate drought. It can even grow in up to 2 inches of standing water. Tufted sedge thrives in full sun or partial shade. Use this sedge in a shade garden in large drifts, or as an accent in a shady border. Mass plant it in a woodland or rock garden, or use it in a rain garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. More information on Carex .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 46 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Carex albula Carex conica Carex morrowii
Native alternatives Carex glaucescens Carex grayi

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ground Cover; Herbaceous Perennial; Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Clumping; Dense
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Narrow leaves are evergreen and attractive.
Flower color
Brown/Copper
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe to Central Asia
Attracts
Butterflies
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Achene
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Near Septic; Pond
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Pollinator Garden; Rain Garden; Water Garden
Design feature
Border
Garden tags
#evergreen #HS302 #sedge #ornamental grass #wet soils tolerant #perennial #wildlife friendly #wetland margins #drought intolerant #wetland
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Deer; Wet Soil
Propagation
Division; Seed

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.