Garden Reports and Rejoicing – September 18
Two plants that generated the most questions and comments from visitors to my garden on Saturday were the ‘King Tut’ Papyrus in the large pots by my entry garden and the Lespedeza thunbergii ‘Spring Grove’. Both of these are large plants with a fountain-like habit.
“You have to have a space that’s about eight feet wide,” I cautioned people on the tour. “This plant is a sprawler, and it will always be a sprawler, so don’t plant it and later complain that it’s ‘out of control’”. Love this perennial for what it is, please.
Similarly, don’t try to tame ‘King Tut’. This graceful papyrus is tall and slender, like it or not. I used it in containers this summer but next year I plan on placing it in the front garden among the annuals and perennials. It will be big and dramatic, but willowy enough not to dominate surrounding plantings.
There are times when it’s good to go with the large and dramatic…just provide adequate room and give up trying to keep things in control.
King Tut papyrus in a large container.
One of the queen's of September, Lespedeza thunbergii ‘Spring Grove’...underused and it's a shame.
