Free Shipping on $50+ orders!

Basket

Porcupine Sedge Seeds

Carex hystericina

  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Direct sow Carex Hystericina seeds either in late fall or early spring. Plant the seed just below the surface of the soil, compacting the soil very firmly. For spring planting, mix the porcupine sedge seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 60 days before planting. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination, since this seed cannot germinate in dry soil.

Growing: Water seedlings regularly until they become established. This plant thrives in rich, moist soil, even flourishing in standing water and seasonal flooding. It adapts well to various soil types including sand and clay, but does not tolerate drought. This plant eventually spreads by rhizomes. It makes an excellent choice for controlling erosion or strengthening stream banks, and attracts small birds and other wildlife.

Seed Saving: At the end of the season, the seed heads will begin to turn from green to brown. Remove them as soon as they ripen to their mature brown color, and spread them out to dry. Thresh them to separate the seed from the stems. Store porcupine sedge seeds in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Common Names: Bottlebrush Sedge

Latin Name: Carex hystericina

Species Origin: US Native Grass or Sedge

Type: Native Grasses, Cool Season

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

US Regions: Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast

Seeds per Ounce: 33,000

Stratification: Cold/Wet for 8 Weeks

Germination Ease: Stratify 8 Weeks

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 30 Inches

Color: Green, Brown

Bloom Season: Blooms Early Summer

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~1,000 Seeds) $3.48 -+
1/4 Oz Mylar (7.09g) $7.96 Notify Me
1 Oz Mylar (~33,000 Seeds) $18.77 Notify Me
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $64.00 Notify Me
1 Lb Bulk Bag (454g) $240.00 -+
5 Lb Bulk Bag (2.27kg) $1,080.00 -+
10 Lb Bulk Bag (4.54kg) $1,920.00 -+
Add to Wishlist

DESCRIPTION

This moisture-loving species is excellent for marshy areas, swamps, or shorelines. True to its name, this clumped sedge bears prickly, oval seed heads. Like most sedges, this is a cool-season perennial, and so forms seeds early in the season, and drops its seeds in the summer.
Renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus first included this species among the sedge plants in his landmark publication Species Plantarum. The genus name "Carex" comes from a Greek word meaning "to cut," referring to the distinctive sharp edges of most sedges. The species name "hystericina" means "like a porcupine," referring to the spiky seed heads.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Direct sow Carex Hystericina seeds either in late fall or early spring. Plant the seed just below the surface of the soil, compacting the soil very firmly. For spring planting, mix the porcupine sedge seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 60 days before planting. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination, since this seed cannot germinate in dry soil.

Growing: Water seedlings regularly until they become established. This plant thrives in rich, moist soil, even flourishing in standing water and seasonal flooding. It adapts well to various soil types including sand and clay, but does not tolerate drought. This plant eventually spreads by rhizomes. It makes an excellent choice for controlling erosion or strengthening stream banks, and attracts small birds and other wildlife.

Seed Saving: At the end of the season, the seed heads will begin to turn from green to brown. Remove them as soon as they ripen to their mature brown color, and spread them out to dry. Thresh them to separate the seed from the stems. Store porcupine sedge seeds in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Common Names: Bottlebrush Sedge

Latin Name: Carex hystericina

Species Origin: US Native Grass or Sedge

Type: Native Grasses, Cool Season

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

US Regions: Mountain, Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest, Northern, Northeast, Southeast

Seeds per Ounce: 33,000

Stratification: Cold/Wet for 8 Weeks

Germination Ease: Stratify 8 Weeks

Sunlight: Full Sun

Height: 30 Inches

Color: Green, Brown

Bloom Season: Blooms Early Summer