Other Names:  Umbrella Grass, Umbrella Sedge

Description:

This variety is a semi-aquatic, grass-like plant producing a mound of green stems with green bracts; perfect for pond side planting or in wet areas of the garden; will tolerat drier conditions once established

Ornamental Features

Umbrella Plant's attractive grassy leaves remain green in color throughout the season on a plant with a mounded habit of growth. It features subtle clusters of tan star-shaped flowers with green bracts at the ends of the stems from mid to late summer.

Landscape Attributes

Umbrella Plant is an herbaceous annual with a mounded form. 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.

Umbrella Plant is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Water Gardens
• Container Planting
• Bog Gardens

Planting & Growing

Umbrella Plant will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. Although it's not a true annual, this fast-growing plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, 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 species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Umbrella Plant is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used 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.