On Gardening: Queen Tut papyrus brings the best of art, architecture

Norman Winter, Tribune News Service on Apr 30, 2026

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In recent years, Queen Tut papyrus has become one of my favorite thriller plants for my mixed container designs. If you are wondering how I can consider a grass-like plant as a thriller while surrounded by colorful flowers, then I challenge you to grow it. You too will see that it is not only a thriller but the ultimate in art and architecture.

It is cold in zones 9a-11b but then again, our application is usually as an annual anyway. With very little effort I can coax these through a zone 8 winter. If you fear needing the jaws-of-life to extract the frozen carcass (kidding) from last year’s pots, I assure you they are not nearly the challenge as some of the other papyrus relatives.

They will reach 18 to 24 inches in height with a spread of 12 to 18 inches. In my containers they are milder mannered than that, though I suppose if you are measuring top spread, that is spot on.

Though I have only used them in containers I can see how they will have an equally architectural look in beds too. The stems sturdily position themselves with their spider-like tufts mimicking miniature palms. But never underestimate their talent for bending ever so slightly toward colorful foliage or flowers to create a living piece of art. Such was the case of where I caught one bowing to the new Heart to Heart Crème Brulee caladiums.

Speaking of caladiums, one of my favorite planters featured Queen Tut papyrus and Heart to Heart Burning Heart caladiums with Goldilocks Creeping Jenny falling over the rim. It was absolutely riveting.

Some of my favorite compositions I would have to credit to wildlife, and thus it was quite by accident. It stands to reason: If you are using Queen Tut mixed with flowers, something will happen. The key is just being there to witness it.

Catching an eastern tiger swallowtail feeding on the nectar of flowers below while the Queen Tut's tufts of foliage above creates a memorable moment. But having a Rockin Fuchsia salvia blooming up among the Queen Tut tufts opens the door to see the acrobatic wonder of a ruby-throated hummingbird going for its happy meal.

The Garden Guy was giddy and surprised to find a green anole lizard draped through the Queen Tut tufts while on the hunt for his dining delight. It is a bird-eat-bug world out there or in this case, lizard-eat-bug brunch.

So I’ll use the Graceful Grasses Queen Tut papyrus with Heart to Heart caladiums, Supertunia petunias, Luscious lantanas and countless others. The Queen Tut will immediately look effective while the partners are playing catch up. Oh yes, if you have a water feature at your home, then Queen Tut may be the plant for which you have been searching.

Planting season is at hand. I hope you will try Graceful Grasses Queen Tut papyrus. They have won awards from Canada to Florida including a Perfect Score at Oklahoma State University.

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(Norman Winter, horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy.)

(NOTE TO EDITORS: Norman Winter receives complimentary plants to review from the companies he covers.)