




FEATURES:
- May Benefit & Attract: Ruffed Grouse, turkeys, pheasants, cardinals, sparrows, redpolls, and buntings
- The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.
- This bird-friendly native trees provides food and shelter for local and migrating birds and other wildlife
- All Audubon® branded trees are grown 100% Neonic-free by Bower & Branch, making these plants safer for the birds and safer for the environment.
- Hand Selected, Fresh from the Grower
- Ships in a plant-safe designed box
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Mature Height: 2-3' tall
- Mature Width: 1-2' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Spacing: 1-2' apart
Why plant Audubon® Native Gray's Sedge?
Fun and wicked! Gray’s Sedge is a fascinating little plant that bears the weirdest fruiting structures—they’re puffy and prickly and look like medieval maces! These miniature “weapons” make for interesting additions to fresh or dried arrangements. Better yet, leave them on the plant, and let the birds enjoy the seeds. Game birds such as Ruffed Grouse, wild turkeys, and pheasants enjoy Sedge seeds, as do many songbirds, including Cardinals, Song Sparrows, Redpolls, and Painted Buntings. Ideal for pondside plantings (it loves constant moisture), Gray’s Sedge is also nice in lightly shaded beds and borders. A conversation starter!
Gray’s Sedge’s funny seedpods are not merely ornamental. The seed cases are filled with pockets of air so that they float. Gray’s Sedge often grows near water, and the buoyant pods allow the seeds to drift away and find new homes away from the mother plant. This reproduction strategy has been effective, enabling the species to establish a huge natural range that stretches from Minnesota to Massachusetts and south to Oklahoma and Florida. First identified in the 1800s, Gray’s Sedge was named for celebrated American botanist and Harvard professor, Asa Gray.
How to use Audubon® Native Gray's Sedge in the landscape?
You wouldn’t think moths and butterflies would be interested in a plant without nectar-producing flowers, but Gray’s Sedge attracts some of these insects by another means. Its foliage serves as caterpillar food for Virginia ctenucha moths, American ear moths, Appalachian brown butterflies, eyed brown butterflies, and several skippers.
Audubon® Native Plants & Trees
Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.
What is the definition of Native?
“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society
Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.
Audubon® is a licensed and registered trademark of the National Audubon Society. All rights reserved.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
How To Plant Audubon® Native Gray's Sedge
Gray’s Sedge is easy to grow, provided you have rich, fertile soil that doesn’t dry out. A location with afternoon shade or light shade all day will suit it best, though it can handle full sun with constant moisture. Gray’s Sedge’s decorative seedheads are often attractive all winter; leave them standing for your enjoyment and for the birds. You can cut them down just before new growth begins in spring if you’d like. Gray’s Sedge forms a clump and doesn’t run like some other Sedges, though it will spread out a bit in time.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.