Carex bushii, commonly known as Bush’s sedge, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to moist to wet areas in open woodlands, meadows, and along stream banks in the eastern United States. It is a clump-forming sedge that typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) with a similar spread. The plant features grass-like leaves and produces inconspicuous greenish-brown flowers in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but the pistillate scales, which are as long as or longer than the perigynia (the sacs that enclose the female flowers), are a distinguishing characteristic.

Bush’s sedge is valued for its adaptability to a range of moisture conditions and its ability to thrive in both full sun and partial shade. It is often used in rain gardens, naturalized areas, and as a component of wetland restoration projects due to its tolerance for wet soils. While it prefers moist, fertile soil, it can also grow in soil with medium drainage. Carex bushii is relatively low-maintenance and can be an attractive addition to native plant gardens. It is not known for having significant disease problems or aggressive roots, but it can self-seed and spread if conditions are favorable, which should be considered when planting in smaller spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0