Scirpus cyperinus.
Wool Grass is a perennial wetland sedge native to most regions of the United States where it can often be found growing in marshes, swamps, and wet meadows, as well as alongside streams and ponds.
Plant grows to around 5 feet in height and develops attractive, reddish brown seed heads that produce a wooly material as they mature.
Native American tribes once used the wooly material for stuffing, while the stems of the plant were often used in weaving.
An important source of forage for waterfowl and other marsh dwelling creatures, this tough plant is also used for erosion control and wetland restoration.
Wool Grass
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9 Light Requirement: Full sun Soil Type: Muddy, sandy, gravelly Sow Depth: Surface Plant Spacing: 18 to 24 inches Germination Note: Cold stratification required Stratification Time: 60 days Bloom Time: August through October Growing Tips
Direct sow in late fall by gently pressing the seeds into the soil's surface. For earlier planting, mix seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 30 days (cold stratification) before direct sowing.
A Note on Cold Stratification
These seeds require cold, moist stratification. To naturally stratify the seeds, plant outdoors late fall on a weed-free site and allow seeds to overwinter.
To artificially stratify the seeds, place the seeds and a moist medium (such as a damp paper towel, coffee filter, sand, or vermiculite) in a labeled, sealed plastic bag and store in a refrigerator (33-40°F) for the amount of time noted on the growth chart before sowing.