Sweet Flag ‘Ogon’

Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’

Characteristics

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Sweet Flag ‘Ogon’ plants perform well in both boggy conditions (including shallow standing water to 3-4” deep) and consistently moist garden soils. Never allow soils to dry out. Scorched leaf tips and withering leaves are often the first signs of drying soils. In water gardens, plants are typically planted in containers with water covering the crowns or in wet soils at the water’s edge. Sweet Flag ‘Ogon’ plants appreciate some relief from hot summer sun (e.g., afternoon shade or filtered sun) when grown in hot summer climates. Plants will slowly naturalize by spreading rhizomes, but are not considered to be invasive. If grown in containers sunk below the water surface, plants will not spread.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Golden-colored leaves with green stripes add plenty of color to jazz up shady spots or moist, sunny areas. Grows in a tufted mound with grass like, narrow blades. Plant it in moist areas to create a dense ground cover, or use it to accent water features or ponds. Sweet Flag ‘Ogon’ spreads very slowly by rhizomes. Its leaves emit a fresh citrus scent when pinched or bruised. This plant performs best with constant moisture. It will adapt to average moisture, but prolonged dry spells may cause leaf tips to brown. The foliage color and intensity of variegation depend on light exposure. Brighter light lends more golden color, while deeper shade highlights green. Variegation is strongest in moderate shade.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Scorch will occur if soils are not kept consistently moist to wet.

Garden Uses

Mass as a ground cover in small areas of water gardens, along streams or ponds, bogs or in moist open woodland gardens. Helps control erosion on water banks. Also effective in rock gardens, border fronts, foundations or as small landscape accents as long as the soil moisture requirements can be met.