CHECK AVAILABILITY

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:Tough and adaptable, should be used in all wetlands restoration projects. Will tolerate periods of being submerged, this clump forming ground cover prefers part sun to part shade in moist to wet soils. Flowers appear in late spring into summer, changing from green to tawny brown, and attract birds and butterflies.

HABITAT & HARDINESS: Brome Sedge, is a species of sedge native to North America. It is found in a variety of habitats within its range including woodlands, wet meadows, riparian zones, open areas, and moist soils.

This species is hardy in USDA Zones 4-8.

PLANT DESCRIPTION: Carex bromoides, commonly known as Brome Sedge, is a graceful perennial grass-like plant belonging to the Cyperaceae family. This native sedge is distributed across North America, particularly thriving in wetland habitats and moist woodlands. Brome Sedge forms clumps of arching, slender, green leaves that can reach a height of 1 to 2 feet. The plant’s inflorescences appear as delicate, nodding spikes, adding an airy elegance to its overall appearance. Carex bromoides is known for its adaptability to various soil types, making it a valuable addition to garden landscapes seeking to enhance moisture-retentive areas or create a naturalistic look.

CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  Brome Sedge is well-suited for partial to full shade and is commonly found along stream banks, in woodland settings, and other damp environments. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate periods of inundation, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens and areas with fluctuating water levels. The cultural needs of Carex bromoides include consistent moisture, making it an ideal candidate for gardens with rain gardens or areas prone to seasonal flooding.  Mt. Cuba Center carex trial also notes that  Carex bromoides “adapts well to average soils and full sun in cultivation.  It can form a weed-suppressing base layer of a a mixed planting.”

LANDSCAPE USES: Bird Garden;Restoration/Conservation;Wetland/Bog Planting;Pollinator Garden;Deer Resistant Plantings;Mass/Group Planting;Living/Green Mulch;Native Plant Garden; Include this sedge species in woodland gardens, shade gardens, rain gardens, and for erosion control. Include this as a ground cover and in native plant gardens, riparian zone plantings, deer-resistant plantings, container gardens, and wildlife gardens.

COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS: Try pairing Carex bromoides with Boltonia asteroides; Eupatorium maculatum; Eupatorium perfoliatum; Vernonia noveboracensis; Zizia aureus; Juncus effusus; Scirpus cyperinus; Scirpus validus tabernaemontani; Monarda didyma ‘Gardenview Scarlet’.

If you need a substitute try Carex stricta; Carex blanda