Hop Sedge
Clump-forming sedge growing 30-100 cm tall. Features broad leaves and distinctive large, hop-like seed heads. Prefers consistently moist to wet soils and partial to full shade. Often found in swamps, wet woods, and along streams. Provides food and cover for wildlife, particularly waterfowl. Useful for stabilizing soil in wet areas and adding winter interest to the landscape. Suitable for rain gardens, pond edges, and naturalized areas in moist, shaded sites.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: Green to Brown
Bloom Time: Late-Spring to Early-Summer
Sun Requirements: Part-Sun to Shade
Moisture: Moist to Wet
Phenology: New growth begins May. Distinctive hop-like spikes develop June-July. Seeds mature August-September. Foliage dies back partially in late fall. Dead stems persist through winter.
Wildlife Value: Seeds eaten by waterfowl and marsh birds; provides cover for wetland wildlife; used as nesting material
Habit Over Time: Creates robust clumps that gradually expand through short rhizomes. While it can form extensive colonies in optimal wet conditions, the spread is predictable and manageable. The bold seed heads provide strong architectural interest.
Height: Medium (1-3 feet)