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Photo Credit: Maureen Gilmer

Papyrus is among the largest of all water garden plants, giving it a unique ability to transform an ordinary pond into an exotic oasis.

Close your eyes and imagine warm nights along the Nile. Papyrus reeds line the shores, thriving in the shallows that border a brutally dry desert. Their pom-pom heads set high upon tall stalks rustle in the gentle winds that cool Pharaoh’s open terrace along the water. Here the plants became epic, etched in stone of palace and tomb – a symbol of life in the heat.

When my clients want this same romance for their warm-season gardens, I return time and again to papyrus (Cyperus papyrus). With long, straight stems that can reach 8 feet tall at maturity topped by their beautiful fluffy heads, it’s big enough to make an immediate visual difference in outdoor living areas. And when the breeze ruffles these fine textures, it really brings the garden to life. Unlike most water plants sold in quarts, papyrus is grown as a landscape plant in 2- or 5-gallon containers. Sold when they reach 5 feet tall or higher, they create an instant effect without waiting a day for maturity. Although they cost more at this size, the overnight change for porch or patio is worth every penny. For a party or special event, there’s really nothing better.

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Photo Credit: Maureen Gilmer

This large-mouth ceramic pot is home to a young papyrus plant that lends an exotic look to this Moroccan-style secret garden.

In addition to looking great instantly, papyrus is really adaptable. It thrives equally in standing water or dry ground (in any type of soil). If you buy it in a large size, the plant was grown as a dryland plant. That means you’ll need to adapt it to your water garden by adding a thick layer of gravel or pebbles atop the pot’s soil to prevent particles and woody matter from floating away. The plant can also be top-heavy in the water, so weight the pot rim with bricks or other heavy objects to keep it from blowing over.

Of course, there are a few caveats to consider before you plunge into your Egyptian fantasy. First, papyrus is a tropical plant, so the big ones aren’t often in the stores until about June (depending on where you live). If you live in a colder climate, consider your papyrus an annual to dispose of at season’s end – or let it die back in fall and overwinter the dormant nursery pot in a sheltered location that’s dark, cool and won’t freeze. (Even if you overwinter, shorter seasons don’t really allow enough time for papyrus to achieve the same stature and lushness as new greenhouse-grown plants.)