About This Plant
Carex scoparia, commonly known as Pointed Broom Sedge, is a graceful, fine-textured native sedge that adds structure and subtle beauty to wetland edges, moist meadows, and rain gardens. Forming dense clumps of narrow, arching leaves, it sends up slender stems topped with distinctive bristled seed spikes that resemble miniature brooms—an attractive feature even after flowering ends.
This cool-season perennial typically grows 1–3 feet tall and thrives in full to partial sun. It prefers moist to wet soils but can tolerate temporary flooding as well as moderate drying once established. Pointed Broom Sedge provides valuable nesting cover for ground-dwelling birds and helps stabilize streambanks and drainage areas with its fibrous root system.
In restoration plantings or designed landscapes, Carex scoparia shines where both beauty and ecological function are desired. Its clean texture complements showier wetland forbs such as Blue Flag Iris, Joe-Pye Weed, or Swamp Milkweed, creating a balanced planting that supports pollinators, amphibians, and water filtration throughout the growing season.