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Cyperus albostriatus

A low-growing, clump-forming hardy evergreen sedge with narrow, strap-like green foliage which forms an umbrella shape. Sprays of delicate, greenish flowers may appear all year round. Ideal as a ground cover plant on the edges of a pond in milder areas, or as a houseplant in a shady corner of the house. Grow in a cm or so of water

Synonyms

Cyperus diffusus misapplied

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cyperaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming, Tufted
Genus: Cyperus can be annuals or evergreen, rhizomatous perennials, with linear, grass-like leaves and terminal clusters of small greenish flower-spikes with spreading leaf-like bracts beneath
Name status: Correct
Plant range: S Trop. & S Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moisture-retentive soil, can be grown as marginal or bog plant. If growing as a houseplant, it prefers being kept in a shady part of the house in around 1cm of water. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice. May have the potential to become a nuisance in small gardens as it is quite vigorous

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Trim off dead or dying stems. Cut back when flowerheads begin to look tired

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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