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Botanical name: Cyperus papyrus ‘King Tut’
This variety is a large semi-aquatic, grass-like plant producing long green stems with green bracts; perfect for pond side planting or in moist gardens; doesn’t mind being submerged a few inches.
| Hardiness zone | 8b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | tan |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | upright spreading |
| Mature height | 6 feet |
| Spread | 4 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | moist to wet |
| Plant origin | import |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
King Tut Egyptian Papyrus' attractive grassy leaves remain green in color throughout the season. Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant.
King Tut Egyptian Papyrus is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.
King Tut Egyptian Papyrus is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Water Gardens, Container Planting, Bog Gardens
King Tut Egyptian Papyrus will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
King Tut Egyptian Papyrus is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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