Transplanted Umbrella Grass

Today we transplanted several clusters of Umbrella Grass (Cyperus Alternafolius) into the new area by the bird house. It is a tall upright reed with spectacular umbrella-like narrow green leaves. It is most familiar as a house plant but will tolerate very cold temperatures and can be grown outside in a pond, pot, or in the ground as long as the roots don't freeze.

We removed a few pieces from the mother plant growing next to the driveway. We planted the new plants in three natural crevices on the northern end of the rock. This area is well above the lake's water line but could be underwater when the lake is near spillway level. Umbrella Grass should be able to survive being submerged. It will receive full morning sun in this new location.

We also moved soil into the new planters today. This took a lot more soil than we had anticipated—some 12 wheelbarrows full. Some of the cracks and crevices in the rock were much deeper than they appeared. We have also decided that another retaining wall should be added to the project. This new section will only be a few feet long. It will connect two of the native rocks creating the illusion that they are both part of a larger rock formation.