Carex emoryi, commonly known as Emory’s Sedge, is a semi-deciduous perennial grass native to riparian zones, wet meadows, and marshy areas across the United States and parts of Mexico. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and a width of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters). This sedge forms dense clumps of narrow, arching leaves, which are green during the growing season and may turn brown in the fall, giving it a semi-deciduous nature. Emory’s Sedge is not particularly known for its flowers, which are small and brownish, but rather for its foliage and growth habit.

Emory’s Sedge is valued for its ability to stabilize soil and its adaptability to wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, bioswales, and water features. It is also used in naturalized plantings and as a ground cover in moist areas. In cultivation, it thrives in part shade to full sun and prefers consistently moist to wet soils. While it tolerates a range of soil types, it does best in soils with wet drainage. Emory’s Sedge can spread aggressively by underground rhizomes, which should be considered when planting in smaller areas or near garden borders.CC BY-SA 4.0