Plant Min Zone: 5a
Plant Max Zone: 9b
Sunlight: Part Sun, Shade
Water / Rainfall: Average, High
Soil Quality: Rich
Bloom Season: Insignificant
Flower Color: Insignificant
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Chartreuse
Summer Foliage Color: Chartreuse
Fall Foliage Color: Chartreuse
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: Low
Wet-Feet Tolerance: High
Humidity Tolerance: High
Wind Tolerance: Medium
Poor Soil Tolerance: No Extreme Soils
Height: 0.75' - 1'
Width: 0.75' - 1'
Growth Rate: Medium
Service Life: Long: 5-10 years
Maintenance Need: Medium
Spreading Potential: Extremely Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Evergreen Perennial Only if Winter-Kill Occurs.
Plant Grouping Size: Medium Grouping of 5-10, Mass Planting of 10 or more
Best Side of House: East Exposure, North Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Tolerates Damp Full Shade, Tolerates Periods of Standing Water, Base of Retaining Wall Locations
Ornamental Features: Long Lasting Fall Color, Bright Winter Color, Multiple Seasons of Interest, Fine Texture, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: Groundcover
Possible Pest Problems: None
Plant Limitations: May get Occasional Winter-kill, Needs Regular Irrigation
Golden Variegated Japanese Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus 'Ogon') is a semi-evergreen marginal aquatic perennial. In constant wet conditions, it handles full-sun. It features a bright greenish-yellow grass-like tufts of narrow leaf blades. It is native to wetland areas of China, Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, Myanmar and the Philippines. In Kansas, it is very useful as a reliable rain garden plant or average garden plant in soils that do not dry out in full to part shade. Also useful on north walls and areas without tree-root competition. It cannot handle prolonged Kansas droughts or dry-shade. Foliage will flatten to the ground during brief drought then spring back up when moisture is available again. In Eastern Kansas, typically our 40 inches of rainfall is sufficient without extra water if planted in good soils. Generally however, in non-irrigated areas with poor soil, this plant will decline and allow weeds to invade. Foliage is evergreen (bright chartreuse-green) down to -5 to -10 degrees F offering valuable winter color.