style="font-size:15px;"> Pampas Crass
SYN. Cortaderia argentea
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After being snootily ignored for years, this lovely grass is at last being planted again by gardeners.
The ‘prawn cocktail’ of horticulture is how some gardeners describe Cortaderia selloana, but this seems to be very dismissive of a wonderful grass.
It can form massive clumps of glaucous green that make an imposing addition to any garden. Mature clumps can reach 2.5m (8ft) tall and 3m (10ft) across. Enormous quantities of long, arching evergreen leaves quickly pile up on themselves to form a graceful architectural shape. Each slender leaf blade is sharply edged along the entire length. The sharp bits are too small to be seen, but can be painfully experienced if you pull the leaves through your hands. In late summer, tall panicles start to emerge from the centre of mature plants. These can reach 3m (10ft) tall and open out into large fluffy plumes of a rich cream colour. They last for most of the autumn. They can be left on the plant to be enjoyed, or be cut and dried for indoor flower arrangements.
This is a very easy plant to grow and it is forgiving of most planting sites. However, it would prefer to be in a bright sunny planting position, sheltered away from strong winds. The soil should, ideally, be a rich loam, but most types will give adequate results. Really poor soil can be fed annually with any high nitrogen food in the spring. Water regularly until established. After the first couple of seasons, it can usually take care of itself.
Older clumps that become untidy can be given a savage haircut every few years in early spring. Cut the entire clump down to ground level with powerful electric hedge-cutters.
If this becomes too difficult, an alternative method is to set fire to the whole lot and burn it down. This quickly deals with all the brown thatch that gradually accumulates from old leaves. New foliage soon grows up again.
There are various coloured forms available but none manages to match the splendour of the true Pampas Crass. Propagation can be done by division and also from seed, but seed-grown plants can be very variable in habit and colour. A particularly good cultivar is ‘Sunningdale Silver’, which has beautifully pale plumes. Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’, a dwarf form, is a wonderfully stubby half-sized version for small gardens.
Pests and diseases rarely bother this grass.
Dwarf Papyrus
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Although this grass is native to Madagascar, it can be grown successfully in much cooler climates.
A pretty little perennial grass that resembles a miniature Papyrus, but is much tougher. It is reliably hardy, though, only in mild inner city gardens and coastal areas. It forms clumps of long, bright green stalks that can reach 90—120cm (3–4ft) tall. These are topped with spreading ‘umbrellas’ of grass, so that the whole plant looks like tiny palm trees. The flowers are typical grassy tufts and not terribly exciting.
Outdoors, grow it either in a pond or a very boggy site, where it has permanent access to water. It will die down every year and send up new shoots in spring. This plant can also be grown very successfully in a conservatory, where it will remain evergreen. Stand it in a large saucer of water and never let it dry out. It is also suitable for gardeners who kill through ‘kindness’, as it is impossible to overwater.
Cyperus alternifolius can be propagated by seed or division, but there is another way that is much more fun to try, especially for children. Chop off one of the heads (from the plant, not the children!) with a long piece of stalk attached. Turn it upside down and push it into a bottle full of water. Roots will form from what was the top, and new shoots will start to form. Keep the water fresh and clean so that the whole process can be observed. When a manageable-sized plant has developed, remove it from the bottle and pot it up in fresh compost.
This grass will grow in virtually any soil, and can be sited in full sun or light shade. Keep away from strong winds, otherwise the fragile stems will be blown flat. It is easy to maintain; watering is the only thing to worry about. Older leaves can turn brown and fall down. Cut these right back to their base with secateurs to keep a tidy appearance. Aphids can be a nuisance on new growth in spring and early summer.
A word of warning: if this plant is being purchased with the intention of planting it near a pond or stream containing fish, check with the nursery as to what compost it has been grown in. Many nurseries mix a nasty chemical called Suscon Green into the soil. This is to kill vine weevils, which can be a real problem for plants grown in pots, but it will also harm other wildlife, so take care to wash the existing soil from the roots and repot the plant into something safer.
Papyrus
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Cyperus papyrus associates brilliantly with all kinds of pools and ponds, both inside and out.
An enormous plant, big enough at maturity to fill a spacious corner in even the most generously proportioned conservatory. Thick, fleshy stems are sent up from the rootstock to a height of 2.5m (8ft), quickly making a thick clump that gradually spreads out across the surface of the pot and beyond its perimeter.
This plant is ideal for gardeners who tend to be heavy-handed with their watering – it is virtually impossible to overwater, and needs a constant supply. During its growing season from early spring to the end of summer, a large saucer or shallow trough placed underneath each pot and kept full of water will prove beneficial. Keep this water clean – if it starts going green or cloudy, change it immediately, as murky, stagnant water could lead to root problems. It will also start to smell unpleasant.
Full bright light is essential, especially from above. If the light levels are too low indoors, the stems will not remain upright. Instead, they will collapse and become very untidy. If grown in the correct position, the stems will fall over only when they are old or damaged. These should then be chopped off at the base with a sharp knife. Regular repotting each spring will be required, until its size makes this impractical. The clumps can then be divided up instead to make smaller plants.
Older plants send out new growth from around the perimeter of the pot, which grows horizontally as if it is trying to escape. These can be removed to keep the clump tidy as an alternative to constant repotting. These plants enjoy being potted into a loam-based soil such as John Innes no. 2, which should give good results. Feed annually in spring with a liquid nitrogen-based food. Aphids can be a bit of a problem during spring and summer.
Although almost freezing temperatures can be tolerated, Cyperus papyrus is much happier if the temperature can be maintained at
