Back to species databaseGrass / Sedge / Rush

Wool Grass

Scirpus cyperinus

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Category
Grass / Sedge / Rush
Sun
Full
Soil moisture
Wet to Medium-Wet
Bloom time
Aug–Oct
Notes
Cool

About Wool Grass

Wool Grass is a stunningly textural native sedge that transforms from a lush green clump into a frothy, golden-brown masterpiece by late summer. Reaching heights of 4 to 6 feet, it is named for the woolly, hair-like bristles that surround its seeds, giving the flower clusters a soft, fuzzy appearance that persists well into winter. It is native to a wide range of wet habitats across eastern North America, including marshes, bogs, and wet meadows. Wool Grass is a favorite among birds, providing both a source of seeds and excellent nesting material. Its architectural form and late-season interest make it a popular choice for native plant enthusiasts looking to add verticality and texture to their landscapes. It thrives in full sun and wet to saturated soils, though it can tolerate slightly drier conditions once established. For the best visual impact, plant Wool Grass in groups where its soft, billowy seed heads can catch the low autumn light, providing a beautiful contrast to the rigid forms of other wetland species.

Native range

Native to 41 states:

AlabamaArkansasCaliforniaConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIdahoIllinoisIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiMontanaNorth CarolinaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasVirginiaVermontWashingtonWisconsinWest VirginiaWyoming

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Scirpus cyperinus

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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