Carex haydenii, commonly known as Hayden’s Sedge, is a deciduous perennial grass native to wet meadows, marshes, and along the edges of ponds and streams in the Central and Eastern USA, as well as Southeast Canada. It typically grows to a height and width of 1-2 feet, forming dense clumps of narrow, grass-like leaves. The inconspicuous greenish-brown flowers appear in late spring to early summer and are followed by small, seed-filled fruits that can provide food for wildlife.

Hayden’s Sedge is valued for its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens, water features, and naturalized wetland plantings. It is also used for erosion control along waterways. In cultivation, it prefers part shade to full shade and requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions. While it can tolerate full sun, this typically requires additional moisture to prevent stress. Gardeners should be aware that in ideal conditions, Hayden’s Sedge can spread vigorously, potentially becoming aggressive in small garden spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0