grassN. America Native

Woolgrass

Scirpus cyperinus

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

60 inches

Width

36 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

High (prefers wet soil)

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived perennial

Native To

Eastern and Central North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Scirpus cyperinus is a large, clump-forming, perennial sedge native to North American wetlands. It has grass-like leaves and produces distinctive, drooping clusters of brownish flower spikelets in summer. The plant is most noted for the fuzzy, wool-like appearance of its mature seed heads, which gives it the common name Woolgrass. These seed heads persist through winter, providing excellent texture and interest.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Offers a unique and beautiful texture, especially in late summer and fall when its seed heads become fluffy and 'woolly'. The arching habit and fine foliage provide a soft, graceful presence that contrasts well with broad-leaved aquatic plants.

Its dense, fibrous root system is excellent for erosion control along shorelines, stream banks, and in stormwater management projects like rain gardens and bioswales. It helps to stabilize soil and filter runoff.

Provides important habitat for wildlife. Waterfowl and other birds eat the seeds, and the dense clumps offer cover and nesting sites for birds, amphibians, and beneficial insects.

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Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun with consistently moist or wet soil.
It can be planted in shallow standing water up to 3 inches deep.
Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball.
Place the plant in the hole so the crown is at soil level.
Backfill with native soil and water thoroughly.
It will spread slowly by rhizomes to form a dense clump.

Pro Tip

This plant thrives in consistently moist to wet soil; it's an excellent choice for low-lying, boggy spots where other plants fail.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide consistent moisture; do not let the soil dry out.
Allow it to naturalize in appropriate wet areas.
Cut back old foliage in late winter for a tidy appearance.
Use it to add height and texture to water features.

Don't

Don't plant in dry, upland garden conditions.
Don't fertilize; it does not require supplemental feeding.
Don't worry about pests or diseases; it is very resilient.
Don't be too quick to tidy up; the seed heads are a key feature.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Graceful texture for pond edges and water gardensEffective stabilizer for wet slopes and shorelinesBold vertical element in rain gardens and bioswales

Companion Plants

Iris versicolor Asclepias incarnata Juncus effusus Lobelia cardinalis Hibiscus moscheutos

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Woolgrass questions

What zones can Woolgrass grow in?

Woolgrass is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Woolgrass deer resistant?

Yes — Woolgrass is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Woolgrass bloom?

Woolgrass typically blooms in mid-summer through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Woolgrass need full sun?

Woolgrass does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.