Bicknell’s Sedge

Bicknell’s Sedge
Carex bicknellii

A graceful native sedge with fine, arching green foliage and narrow upright seed spikes that mature in early to mid-summer. This adaptable species is commonly found in prairies, open meadows, savannas, and lightly wooded habitats. It forms tidy clumps that add soft texture and structure to native plantings while blending easily with prairie grasses and wildflowers.

Bicknell’s Sedge is well adapted to dry to moderately moist soils and tolerates a wide range of conditions, making it a reliable component of prairie restorations and naturalized landscapes.

Growing Conditions

• Height: 1–2 ft
• Spread: Clumping, slowly forming colonies
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Dry to moderately moist soils; tolerates sandy, loamy, and rocky soils
• Hardiness: Zone 3–8
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Drought tolerant once established
• Deer resistant and low maintenance

Ideal for prairie restorations, dry meadows, open woodland edges, and pollinator-friendly landscapes. Adds fine texture and stability to native plant communities.

Ecological Value

• Provides cover for insects and small wildlife
• Supports beneficial insects and native biodiversity
• Stabilizes soil in open meadow and prairie habitats
• Adds texture and diversity to native plantings

Larval Host Plant For
Caterpillars of several native sedge-feeding moth species.

Companion Species

• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
• Junegrass (Koeleria macrantha)
• Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
• Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)
• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
• Rocky Mountain Fescue (Festuca saximontana)
• Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

Planting to Protect
Restoring to Thrive
Origin Native Plants

3.5 inch Pots