General Culture:
Winter hardy to USDA Zone 9 where is may be grown in wet, boggy soils in full sun to part shade. Best in part shade. May be grown in containers at the margins of water gardens, pools or ponds. Grows well in both standing water and in boggy soils. In the St. Louis area, these plants are tender perennials that must be brought indoors in fall before first frost for overwintering in a sunroom or greenhouse. When overwintering, set the container in a saucer filled with water, and place the container and saucer near a bright sunny window in a preferably cool (60-65 degree F) area. Plants may be grown as annuals.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Native to Africa, Cyperus papyrus, commonly called papyrus, is a tall clump-forming, tender perennial sedge that, in frost-free areas, will grow up to 15’ tall. In St. Louis gardens, stems will grow much shorter (to 5-8’ tall). It features a grass-like clump of triangular green stems that rise up from thick, woody rhizomes. Each stem is topped by an umbellate inflorescence of 100+ narrow arching thread-like rays (4-12” long). Greenish-brown flower clusters appear at the ends of the rays. Flowers give way to brown, nut-like fruits. KING TUT is a dwarf cultivar that typically grows to only 2-3’ tall.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Not winter hardy to St. Louis area.
Uses:
Accent for water gardens, bogs or pond/stream peripheries. Patio containers/tubs.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2009
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