Acorus Ogon

Description

Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ – golden sweet flag

Botanical name: Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’
Common names: Golden sweet flag, Japanese rush
Family: Acoraceae
Plant type: Semi-evergreen grass-like perennial
Habit: Low, clump-forming, fan-like
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 25–30cm tall × 30cm spread
Foliage: Grassy, fan-like foliage brightly striped in gold and green; aromatic when crushed; semi-evergreen
Flowers: Insignificant; grown for its foliage
Scent: Foliage aromatic when crushed
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Reliably moist to wet, humus-rich; tolerates boggy ground and pond margins; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 5–9
Exposure: Sheltered
Native range: Species native to eastern Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic in ordinary garden situations; not intended for eating

Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’, golden sweet flag, is a low, grassy perennial with bright gold-and-green striped fan-like foliage. Loving moist to wet soil, it is superb at pond margins, in bog gardens and damp borders.

GardenAdvice notes

A low, clump-forming grass-like perennial, golden sweet flag is grown for its bright, gold-variegated fans of aromatic foliage, which light up damp and waterside plantings. It thrives in the reliably moist to wet conditions that most variegated plants dislike, and keeps much of its colour through winter, making it invaluable for pond margins and bog gardens.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in reliably moist to wet, humus-rich soil in full sun to partial shade — the brightest gold colour comes in good light. It is ideal at pond and stream margins, in bog gardens and damp borders, and even in shallow water at the pond edge. Space about 30cm apart. Never let it dry out.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance provided it stays moist. Remove any tatty foliage in spring to freshen the clump. Divide congested clumps in spring to maintain vigour. No feeding is usually needed in decent soil. Its main requirement is simply never to dry out.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide clumps in spring — quick, easy and the standard method.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Its one real need is constant moisture; the foliage browns at the tips if it dries out. Otherwise little troubled by pests or disease.

Uses in the garden

Ideal for pond and stream margins, bog gardens, damp borders and shallow water at the water’s edge, and useful in containers and pond baskets kept permanently wet, where its gold foliage brightens shady, damp spots.

Wildlife value

The dense, low foliage provides cover at the water’s edge for small creatures such as frogs and beneficial insects.

Toxicity & safety

Golden sweet flag is generally regarded as non-toxic in ordinary garden situations, though its aromatic foliage is not intended for eating.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Ogon’ is one of the best plants for bringing a splash of gold to a damp, shady spot or pond edge where variegated plants usually struggle — the key is simply to keep it permanently moist, even wet. It even grows in shallow water at the pond margin, and holds much of its colour through winter, so it earns its place year-round.

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