Sweet Flag, Calamus, Flagroot, Sweet Cane, Sweet Grass, Sweetroot, Sweet Rush, Acorus americanus, Acorus calamus var. americanus
Ideal for wet areas, Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag) is a spreading, marginal aquatic perennial forming a tuft of erect, sword-shaped, bright green leaves adorned with one slightly wavy edge and a prominent midrib. In late spring, this plant bears inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers in finger-like inflorescences, 2-4 in. long (5-10 cm), which give way to tiny, reddish berries. Both the crushed foliage and rootstocks have a pleasant aromatic fragrance. A great choice for naturalizing, Sweet Flag is quite versatile in the garden and makes a decorative foliage accent in water gardens and around ponds.
| Hardiness |
4 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
2 - 11 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Aquatic Plants, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials |
| Plant Family | Acoraceae |
| Genus | Acorus |
| Common names | Sweet Grass, Sweet Flag, Calamus |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | High |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maine, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington, Idaho, Virginia, Montana |
| Tolerance | Wet Soil |
| Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ground Covers, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
| Hardiness |
4 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
2 - 11 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Aquatic Plants, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials |
| Plant Family | Acoraceae |
| Genus | Acorus |
| Common names | Sweet Grass, Sweet Flag, Calamus |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 24" (60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | High |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maine, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington, Idaho, Virginia, Montana |
| Tolerance | Wet Soil |
| Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ground Covers, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
How many Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag) | N/A | Buy Plants |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
