Scirpus

Scirpus, also known as Bulrush and Club Grass, is a group of decorative hardy and frost-tender Sedges. S. lacustris var. tabernaemontani 'Zebrinus', Zebra Rush, is a hardy kind that forms tufts of almost leafless stems banded horizontally with white. The tiny, reddish-brown flowers are produced in spikelets, in the summer. This plant grows up to 5 feet high. S. cyperinus, Woolgrass Bulrush, grows 3 to 5 feet high and produces an umbel of spikelets atop slender stems. The spikelets turn woolly when in fruit. S. cernuus is a tender kind found wild in the tropics. This plant has thin, drooping stems bearing small, light green, grass-like flower heads at their tips. This plant needs a minimum temperature of 45 degrees.

Pot Cultivation

These plants grow well by the water. Grow them in 5-gallon containers filled with rich to clay soil and set in water that is up to 5 inches over the crown, in sun or partial shade. The tender kinds should be brought indoors for the winter and grown in pots filled with equal parts of loam and leaf mold.

Propagation

They can be divided in the spring and summer. Stratified seeds may also be sown.

S. cernuus

VARIETIES

• S. lacustris var. tabernaemontani 'Zebrinus' (horizontal white bands) & 'Albescens' (vertical white bands);
• S. cernuus;
• S. lacustris;
• S. Holoschoenus;
• S. cyperinus;
• S. spiralis (Corkscrew Rush).