Guide to growing Papyrus Cyperus
The Cyperus member papyrus is famed as the plant that the Egyptians used to make paper to write on.
It is an half hardy perennial grass that can reach up to 1.5M in height.
They have large thick stalks that carry green or cream flowers in the autumn.
Members of Cyperus are water loving plants and some of the common names include, bulrush, papyrus, umbrella grass and Galingale.
How to grow Papyrus (Cyperus)
Due to their water loving nature it is probably best to start Cyperus off in pots and then submerge them into a water feature in your garden. Seeds should be prepared about 8 weeks before they are due to be transplanted outdoors in the spring or at the beginning of autumn. The seeds of Cyperus members such as papyrus should be sown into pots and lightly covered. The soil should be rich and kept moist; the germination takes about one month at 22 degrees centigrade.
Caring for Papyrus
Once established the growing papyrus seedlings (in their pots) should be transferred into shallow water by a pond located in a sunny spot. When temperatures start to get cold then the papyrus plants should be brought indoors for the winter. If you want to have more plants to grow then members of Cyperus can be divided at the beginning of spring.