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 | Calamus, Sweet Flag, Sweet Grass |
| 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 | Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Southeast, United States, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin |
| 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 | Calamus, Sweet Flag, Sweet Grass |
| 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 | Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Southeast, United States, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin |
| 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 |
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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!
