Carex grayi
Mace sedge
 
Carex grayi, commonly called mace sedge, is the plant equivalent of a conversation starter—you just can’t walk by without noticing its quirky, spiky seed heads that look like medieval maces dangling on tall stems. Reaching 2–3 feet in height, it thrives in full sun to part shade and loves moist to wet soils, making it right at home along pond edges, rain gardens, or damp meadows. While its bright green, arching foliage adds texture all season, it’s those bold seed heads that steal the show, adding drama to the garden and sparking curiosity from visitors. Mace sedge is more than just good looks, though—it also provides valuable cover for wildlife and seeds for birds, making it both stylish and ecologically useful.
 
photo by Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova