Hedgehog Sedge
Tufted sedge growing 10-30 cm tall. Features narrow, arching leaves and small, spiky seed heads resembling hedgehogs. Prefers moist, well-drained soils and partial to full shade. Often found in woodland understories. Forms small, dense clumps, spreading slowly by short rhizomes. Provides ground cover and erosion control in shaded areas. Attracts small wildlife. Suitable for woodland gardens, shaded rock gardens, and as a native alternative to non-native shade groundcovers.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: Green to Brown
Bloom Time: Late-Spring to Early-Summer
Sun Requirements: Part-Sun to Shade
Moisture: Moist-Drained
Phenology: Evergreen sedge. New growth begins April. Flowering spikes appear May-June. Seeds mature July. Foliage maintains good color through winter in protected sites.
Wildlife Value: Small seeds eaten by songbirds; provides cover for ground-feeding birds and small mammals; nesting material for birds
Habit Over Time: Creates neat, mounded clumps that expand slowly from the center. While it may self-seed in open soil, it does not spread aggressively through rhizomes. The fine-textured foliage provides good structure while allowing interplanting with complementary species.
Height: Short (6-18 inches)