Carex cristatella aka Crested Sedge

Carex cristatella, or crested oval sedge, belongs to the sedge family, Cyperaceae. This perennial grows in temperate parts of North America. Its native range reaches from Quebec west to Saskatchewan. It extends south into Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Wild plants grow in wet meadows, marshes, and low prairies. They also occur in damp woods and moist prairie hollows. Pond edges and stream banks provide other native sites.

Plants form upright clumps with three-sided stems called culms. Garden plants reach about 1–3 feet [0.30–0.91 metres] tall. Chicago Botanic Garden gives a shorter maximum of 2.5 feet [0.76 metres]. Clumps can spread to about 2 feet [0.61 metres] wide. The light green leaves look much like grass blades. They grow at the base and along the stems. Each smooth, hairless leaf can reach 1.3 feet [0.40 metres] long. The leaves remain narrow, reaching about one-third of an inch across.

Green flowers appear in May and June, during late spring. Flower clusters sit at the tips of the flowering stems. These stems rise above the leaves, reaching 3 feet [0.91 metres]. The flowers add interest above the clump's fine leaves. The plant's upright form suits use as a single accent. Groups can make a ground cover that spreads slowly. Plants spread through rhizomes and seed when conditions suit them.

Grow this sedge in soil rich in organic matter. Keep the soil moist to wet throughout growth. It grows in full sun or part shade. Avoid deep shade when choosing a planting site. Plants in full sun need a steady supply of moisture. They can also grow in a shallow layer of water. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA hardiness zones 5–8. Chicago Botanic Garden instead lists zones 4–7 for this species.

Use it in woodland gardens or partly shaded borders. It also suits pond edges and water garden margins. Its tolerance of wet ground helps in these sites. Deer resistance adds to its value in planted areas. Care needs are low where moisture remains steady. Cut the old leaves down in late winter. Missouri Botanical Garden reports no major insect or disease concerns. The supplied evidence does not establish edibility or toxicity.