Harford's Sedge
Carex harfordii
Care
part shade
moderate
Friendly
Tubers eaten cooked; traditional Indigenous food source
Coastal scrub and grasslands of the central California coast from San Francisco Bay to Monterey County, below 2,000 ft elevation
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Harford's Sedge in partial shade during fall or winter when Bay Area rainfall is most reliable. This native sedge thrives in wet places and prefers consistently moist conditions, so choose a location that stays damp or near a water source like a rain garden or low spot in your landscape. Space plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow them room to spread.
After Planting
Water regularly during your first summer to establish the plant, then let Bay Area's natural rainfall take over - this sedge is built for our wet winters and can handle moderate to high moisture year-round. Avoid the #1 mistake of planting it in a dry spot or letting it dry out completely; unlike many California natives, Harford's Sedge actually wants the water. Expect it to spread gradually over time and provide habitat for butterflies and caterpillars.
Wildlife Supported
Birds
Winter seed foraging December-February in coastal California populations
Nesting material collection during breeding season April-June
Mammals
Seed cache collection September-November for winter storage