Cyperus longus
Tall Cyperus
Common names: Cyperus grass, Cyperus
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Pot size
- from 50 l
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Flowering
- Jul–Sep
- Hardiness
- Hardy
- Origin
- Native to Germany
Photo: Ximénez · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Tall Cyperus is a hardy sedge suitable for the swamp and shallow-water zone of a garden pond. It is characterized by narrow, three‑angled stems that end in a fan‑shaped cluster of slender upright leaves, giving the pond edge a grass‑like, exotic appearance. Unlike the common household Cyperus, this species tolerates German winters outdoors without difficulty and retreats in autumn, resprouting in spring. Over time it forms dense clumps and is well suited for natural pond edging.
Care instructions
Plant Tall Cyperus in permanently moist to wet soil, ideally directly in the shallow water zone of your pond to a depth of about 10 cm. A sunny to partially shaded spot promotes the strongest growth of the clumps. Water plants that are not directly connected to the pond regularly; the root ball should never dry out. In early spring (late March to early April, weeks 12 to 14), cut back the brown stems close to the ground before new shoots appear. Divide dense clumps every three to four years in spring to keep the plant vigorous and prevent uncontrolled spread.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringJul–Sep
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
moist, nutrient-rich, loamy, well-drained
The sweet galingale loves permanently moist to wet soil and also tolerates temporary waterlogging at the pond edge. Nutrient-rich, loamy garden soil promotes strong growth of the clumps. The plant answers sites that are too dry or lean with meagre foliage, which is why it belongs at the edge of a pond or stream.
Feeding
Medium feeder
Months
Apr, Jun
One dose of ripe compost in spring is usually enough to support the growth of the clumps. For pot culture in a water basin, organic slow-release fertiliser in tablet or cone form, pushed directly into the substrate, helps. In high summer you can top up once more with diluted nettle manure if needed; after that, the natural nutrient supply from the moist site is enough.
Overwintering
In mild locations in the DACH region, the sweet galingale survives the winter at the pond edge with a thick mulch of leaves or straw over the root zone. In harsh locations, it is better to bring potted specimens indoors, frost-free and bright, for example into a cool conservatory. Cut withered leaves back only in early spring; they additionally protect the rootstock from cold.
Propagation
Methods
- Division
- From seed
The simplest method is dividing the clumps in spring shortly before new growth. To do so, separate strong root balls with a sharp spade and set the pieces immediately in moist substrate or shallow water. Sowing also works, but is much slower and needs even, moist warmth to germinate. For quick results and offspring true to type, division is the more reliable choice.
For your garden
Grow Tall Cyperus yourself
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