Carex sprengelii, commonly known as Sprengel’s sedge or long-beaked sedge, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to North America, particularly thriving in moist woodlands, meadows, thickets, and along stream banks. It is also found in pond and lake margins, bogs, and marshes, where it forms part of the understory vegetation. This sedge typically grows 1-3 feet tall and is characterized by its drooping seed heads, which are responsible for its common name. The seed heads emerge in late spring to early summer and are not particularly showy, but they add a fine texture to the landscape.

Sprengel’s sedge is valued for its adaptability to wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, naturalized areas, and as a ground cover in moist, shaded sites. It prefers partial to full shade and consistently moist, well-drained soils. While it is not drought-tolerant, it can withstand occasional flooding and is useful for erosion control along waterways. This sedge is low maintenance and typically does not suffer from serious pest or disease problems. However, it can spread somewhat aggressively in ideal conditions, so gardeners should consider this when planting.CC BY-SA 4.0