


In the wild, papyrus can grow 16 feet tall. Mine pops out of its container like an explosion of green fireworks. I love it for its feather duster-like plumes, which have a whimsical look. It’s an obvious choice for water gardens and wet areas, but also looks great in a perennial bed, in containers anywhere you want vertical contrast. Papyrus won’t survive in temps below 35 degrees F. It’s perennial in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, and considered an annual everywhere else, though you might be able to overwinter the plant indoors (see below). Common names include Egyptian papyrus, bulrush, and umbrella plant. Papyrus ( Cyperus papyrus) is a water-loving sedge that spreads both by rhizomes and by seed. Best of all, papyrus is super easy to care for and a fast grower. It has great texture and a strong vertical form that contrasts with more mounding and rounded plant shapes. You might have not ever thought about what the plant looks like, or realize that it’s a wonderfully quirky addition to the garden or patio. Remember what you learned in ancient history class? Papyrus is what the Egyptians used to make paper. But not my papyrus! It’s a real statement plant, with jaunty, upright stems and feathery fronds that are as fresh and bright today as when I bought it in spring. By this point in summer many of my annuals are droopy and a bit bedraggled.
