Mace sedge (Carex grayi)

Mace sedge (Carex grayi) is an aquatic plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Mace sedge (Carex grayi).
This plant is commonly known as mace sedge.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: mace sedge
Scientific name: Carex grayi
Plant type: Aquatic, Bogs, Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Clay, Loam
Moisture: Poorly drained
Garden type: Informal Garden, Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Cut Flowers, Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spring | ||||
Summer | ||||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |

How to plant Mace sedge (Carex grayi) – Thomas D. Fischer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Whether small or large, formal or informal, every garden has space for an aquatic element. The sound and reflective qualities of water have long been used to add interest to gardens.
A pond, fountain or even a smaller water container greatly increases the variety of plants you can grow. In addition, they also encourage a wide variety of wildlife, including insects, frogs, toads and birds.
Together with plants, these elements offer a diversity of interests.
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Mace sedge (Carex grayi), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Mace sedge (Carex grayi) is a plant that prefers to grow in clay or loam.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Carex grayi likes to grow in humid or poorly drained soil.
Sunlight
Mace sedge (Carex grayi) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Mace sedge (Carex grayi) – Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons