HAIRY SEDGE Carex hirta

Hesgen flewog

A beautiful native sedge with soft, hairy leaves and distinctive bristly seedheads.

Hairy Sedge is a widespread native sedge, valued for its attractive texture and ability to thrive in damp grassland, meadows, marshy areas and along pond edges. Its name comes from the fine hairs found on its leaves and especially around its flowering stems and seedheads, giving it a distinctive, softly textured appearance.

This hardy perennial forms spreading clumps and produces slender green leaves, followed by small flower spikes in late spring and summer. The female flower spikes develop into distinctive, hairy seedheads which add interest as the plant matures.

Hairy Sedge is particularly useful for wildlife gardens, wet meadows, pond margins and naturalistic planting schemes. It prefers moist to damp soils and can tolerate conditions that are too wet for many other plants, making it an excellent choice for naturally damp areas of the garden.

As a native grass-like plant, Hairy Sedge contributes to the structure and diversity of wildflower habitats. Its foliage provides shelter for small creatures and its flowers and seeds form part of the wider food web of damp grassland habitats.

A tough and attractive native plant, Hairy Sedge is an excellent choice for recreating natural wetland and meadow habitats while adding texture and movement to your planting.

Height: Approximately 50cm
Flowering: May–July
Flower colour: Green to brown