Cyperus longus

The fragrant galingale is a herbaceous perennial with rapid growth found throughout Europe to Asia and North Africa, where it sometimes forms large colonies in marshy areas.

From the stump of Cyperus longus, long slender flat leaves emerge in spring, both flexible and straight, very graphic, of light green colour, taking on orange hues in autumn. In summer, long triangular stems, characteristic of the Cyperaceae family, bear small brownish flowers at their leafy tips. The clump reaches about 80cm (32in) in height.

Without being truly invasive, Cyperus longus still spreads quite rapidly with its short rootstocks and can cover an area of 2 to 3 m² in a short period of time. Therefore, its cultivation should be reserved for large gardens. The advantage is that its very dense vegetation smothers all weeds. In our garden, it is of great use to wild pheasants, coots, as well as some passing ducks who find in this dense foliage an ideal shelter.

You can accompany Cyperus longus with riverbank perennials such as Virginia bluebells, Astilbes or Primroses, or even brook sedges or Japanese horsetails, which are also interesting for their graphic effect.