Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’
Golden Variegated Sweet Flag
Bright golden foliage that brings year-round color and fine texture to moist garden spaces.
Quick Care
- Light: Morning sun to partial shade
- Water: Keep consistently moist to wet
- Mature size: 6–12 inches tall and wide
- Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9
- Growth rate: Slow to moderate
- Spacing: 8–12 inches apart
Description
Acorus ‘Ogon’ is a compact, grass-like perennial prized for its narrow, arching leaves striped in bright gold and green. Although it resembles an ornamental grass, it is actually a sweet flag that spreads gradually by rhizomes to form attractive clumps. Its luminous foliage brightens shaded beds, pond edges and containers while providing fine texture throughout much of the year.
Why You’ll Love It
- Brilliant gold-and-green foliage
- Thrives in moist areas where many plants struggle
- Provides excellent year-round texture
- Slowly forms a colorful groundcover
- Compact enough for containers and small gardens
- Aromatic foliage releases a sweet, citrus-like scent when crushed
Best Uses
Use Acorus ‘Ogon’ along ponds, streams, drainage areas and other consistently moist locations. It also makes an attractive edging plant, groundcover or colorful filler between rocks and stepping stones where moisture is dependable.
In containers, its arching foliage softens the edges of pots and complements ferns, hostas, heucheras, Japanese iris, astilbe and other moisture-loving plants.
Planting and Care
Light: Plant in morning sun, filtered light or partial shade. Some sunlight encourages strong golden color, but afternoon shade helps protect the foliage during hot North Carolina summers. Plants grown in heavy shade may become greener.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist. Acorus tolerates wet or boggy conditions and can be grown near the edge of shallow water. Avoid allowing the root system to dry completely, which can cause browned or scorched leaf tips.
Soil: Grow in moisture-retentive soil enriched with organic matter. It adapts to ordinary garden soil when dependable irrigation is available.
Fertilizing: Apply a light feeding of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring. Avoid excessive fertilizer, which can encourage weak growth.
Pruning: Remove damaged or browned foliage in late winter before fresh spring growth appears. Older clumps may be divided in spring when necessary.
Franklin Brothers’ Central NC Advice
In the Central North Carolina Piedmont, Acorus ‘Ogon’ performs best with morning sun and protection from intense afternoon heat. Consistent moisture is the key to attractive foliage during summer. It is especially useful beside water features, near downspouts, in rain gardens and in low areas that remain moist without severe erosion.
The foliage is usually semi-evergreen in our area. After a harsh winter, trim away browned leaves in late winter, and fresh golden growth will emerge in spring.
Good to Know
- Plant type: Rhizomatous herbaceous perennial
- Foliage: Golden yellow and green; semi-evergreen
- Flowers: Small and generally insignificant
- Maintenance level: Easy when adequate moisture is provided
- Pollinator value: Limited; primarily grown for foliage
- Special feature: Tolerates wet soil
- Edible: Not intended for consumption
SEO Description
Shop Acorus ‘Ogon’ at Franklin Brothers Nursery in Henderson, NC. Golden foliage for moist borders, pond edges, rain gardens and containers.