Special Announcement

09/16/2026Mt. Cuba will close at 4 PM on 9/17.

Close
Mt Cuba Center
Tour at Mt. Cuba Center.
Enjoy Fall at Mt. Cuba Plan Your Visit Plan Your Visit
Mission

Our mission is to inspire an appreciation for the beauty and value of native plants and a commitment to protect the habitats that sustain them.

People sitting around a fire at Mt. Cuba's hay bales and brews
Join Us for Fun Fall Events This Season! LEARN MORE LEARN MORE
HOURS

The gardens and trails are open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm.

An ecological gardening certificate student completes a Native Plants of Fall exam in Mt. Cuba Center's naturalistic gardens.
Ecological Gardening Certificate Learn More Learn More

Classes offered year-round. Learn to garden in harmony with nature, take an art class, attend an event, and more!

New Research: Mt. Cuba Moth Survey Learn More Learn More
Trial Garden

Mt. Cuba Center evaluates native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value.

Gift a Membership Learn More Learn More
MEMBERSHIP

Enjoy unlimited general admission, member discounts, guest passes, and more!

Pink flowers surrounded by green foliage.
Join a Mt. Cuba Giving Society Today Giving Societies Giving Societies
Support Mt. Cuba's Mission

Direct your gift to the area of greatest need or to a specific area you'd like to support.

09/16/2026
Mt. Cuba will close at 4 PM on 9/17.

Details
close
Mt Cuba Center
Back to trial Carex (Sedges) for the Mid-Atlantic Region

Trial Garden

Carex stricta (upright sedge)

2 Photos


Summary

Carex stricta, also known as upright sedge or tussock sedge, is an attractive species that performs best in full sun. In the evaluation, C. stricta formed a medium-sized deciduous clump. In early spring, silvery fingers of new growth emerge from the crown and eventually give way to a beautiful display of flowers that closely resemble those of C. haydenii in timing and appearance. The graceful deep-green foliage of this species remains attractive all summer and is seemingly unaffected by short periods of drought. While quite at home in the average soils of the trials, C. stricta can be found in wet habitats throughout the eastern United States, sometimes growing as tiny hummocks in standing water. In Delaware wetlands, C. stricta plays a critical ecological role as its crowns are utilized for nesting habitat by the endangered bog turtle.

See page 19 of Carex for the Mid-Atlantic Region for more details.


Details

  • Rating
    4.2/4.5 (Shade/Sun) Top Performer 
  • Common Name
    upright sedge  
  • Size
    25” x 38” 
  • Growth habit
    clumping 
  • Texture
    medium 
  • Winter foliage
    deciduous 
  • Mowing rating
    1.9/2.2 (Shade/Sun)