Ovate Spikerush

Ovate Spikerush: A Humble Native Sedge for Wetland Gardens

If you’re looking for a show-stopping centerpiece for your garden, ovate spikerush (Eleocharis ovata) probably isn’t your plant. But if you’re passionate about native plants, wetland restoration, or creating habitat for wildlife, this unassuming little sedge might just be exactly what you need.

What Is Ovate Spikerush?

Ovate spikerush is a native annual sedge that belongs to the graminoid family – basically, it’s grass-like but not actually a grass. Think of it as one of nature’s background players: small, humble, but quietly important to the ecosystem. This plant has also been known by several scientific names over the years, including Eleocharis annua and Scirpus ovatus, which might explain why it can be tricky to track down information about it!

Where Does It Grow Naturally?

This little sedge is a true North American native with an interesting distribution pattern. You’ll find it naturally growing across much of Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Newfoundland. Surprisingly, it’s also native to Hawaii – quite the geographic range for such a small plant!

What Does It Look Like?

Don’t expect ovate spikerush to make a dramatic statement in your landscape. This modest plant typically reaches about 1.5 feet tall with a bunch-like growth form and semi-erect shape. Here’s what you can expect:

• Small, inconspicuous green flowers that bloom in late summer
• Brown seeds that appear from summer through fall
• Porous foliage that dies back in winter (remember, it’s an annual)
• Moderate growth rate during its summer and fall active growing period

Why Would You Want to Grow It?

Let’s be honest – you’re probably not planting ovate spikerush for its stunning beauty. Instead, consider it for these practical reasons:

• Native plant restoration: It’s genuinely native across a huge range, making it perfect for restoration projects
• Wetland gardens: This plant thrives in consistently moist to wet conditions
• Low maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care
• Fire tolerance: Surprisingly resilient to fire, making it good for natural landscapes
• Soil flexibility: Adapts to coarse, medium, and fine-textured soils

Growing Conditions and Care

Ovate spikerush is pretty specific about what it wants, but once you give it the right conditions, it’s fairly easy-going:

Essential Requirements:

• Moisture: Needs consistently wet to moist soil – think bog garden or rain garden conditions
• pH: Prefers acidic conditions (4.6 to 6.8)
• Sun exposure: Full sun only – it won’t tolerate shade
• Temperature: Needs at least 90 frost-free days and minimum temperatures above 47°F

Soil and Climate Tolerance:

• High tolerance for waterlogged (anaerobic) conditions
• Low drought tolerance – don’t let it dry out!
• Low salt tolerance
• Moderate precipitation needs (32-60 inches annually)

How to Propagate and Plant

The good news is that ovate spikerush is routinely available commercially, though you might need to seek out native plant nurseries or wetland restoration suppliers. You can propagate it through:

• Seeds: The most common method, though seed production is relatively low
• Bare root plants: Available from specialized nurseries
• Sprigs: Small plant divisions

Plant density should be around 2,700 to 4,800 plants per acre for restoration projects. Keep in mind that seedling vigor is low, so be patient with establishment.

Is This Plant Right for Your Garden?

Ovate spikerush isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay! Consider it if you:

• Have consistently wet areas in your landscape
• Are creating a rain garden or bioswale
• Want to support native plant communities
• Are working on wetland restoration
• Appreciate subtle, naturalistic plantings

Skip it if you:

• Want showy, ornamental plants
• Have dry or well-drained soils
• Expect dramatic visual impact
• Don’t want to deal with annual replanting (though it may self-seed)

The Bottom Line

Ovate spikerush won’t win any beauty contests, but it’s a hardworking native that fills an important ecological niche. If you’re passionate about creating authentic native plant communities, especially in wet areas, this humble sedge deserves a spot in your landscape. Just remember to give it the consistently moist conditions it craves, and it’ll quietly do its job year after year – or in this case, season after season, since you’ll need to replant annually or hope for self-seeding.

Sometimes the most valuable plants in our gardens aren’t the ones that grab attention, but the ones that create the foundation for healthy, functioning ecosystems. Ovate spikerush is definitely one of those unsung heroes.