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Genus Acorus (Sweet flag, Japanese rush)

Acorus Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais
ah-KOR-us Common Name: Sweet flag, Japanese rush
Plants in this genus are found in shallow water beside streams and lakes in the Northern hemisphere, particularly in East Asia. Ornamental linear fans of leaves are beautiful grown around pools, bogs, and marshes.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Adaptable to aquariums. Rhizomatous, marginal aquatic perennials.
 Care: Grow in pool margins, or wet or very moist soil in full sun. Avoid disturbing roots. Grow smaller cultivars in aquatic containers to minimize root disturbance.
 Propagation: Divide rhizomes in early spring, pot up, and plant when established. Divide the rhizomes every 3 or 4 years to prevent congestion.
 Problems: Root rots, rust, and fungal leaf spots.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Acorus

Acorus calamus ‘Variegatus’ Acorus calamus ‘Variegatus’
(Variegated sweet flag) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Variegated sweet flag is a deciduous, aquatic perennial with 5-foot-long bright green leaves with creamy, longitudinal stripes. Its flowers are insignificant, but its leaves are aromatic and resemble the foliage of an iris. Sweet flag makes a striking statement at the shallow end of a pool, in a bog garden, or in a marshy woodland area.
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'
(Golden dwarf sweet flag, Japanese rush, Grassy-leaved sweet flag) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This dwarf cultivar of grassy-leaved sweet flag (to 10 inches tall and 6 inches wide) has linear fans of semi-evergreen, glossy, pale green and cream-striped leaves that have an overall golden effect. This is an aquatic perennial with showy foliage for shallow water margins.
Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus' Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus'
(Grassy-leaved sweet flag, Variegated Japanese rush) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This aquatic perennial is semi-evergreen and showy, with grassy, striped foliage that reaches less than 1 foot tall. The species is native to East Asia. Use it in a situation where its diminutive size can be appreciated along the margins of a pool or in a bog garden.