Northwest Blooms · Groundcovers
Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’
Golden Variegated Sweet Flag

- Family
- Acoraceae
- Height
- 6 to 12 inches
- Width
- 12 to 18 inches
- Flower color
- Greenish-yellow
- Foliage color
- Golden-yellow
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Partial to full shade
- Water
- Consistently moist to wet soil
- Maintenance
- Low
- Growing zone
- 5 to 9
- Wildlife
- May provide shelter for small animals and insects
About this plant
Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' is a striking ornamental grass-like plant with vibrant golden-yellow foliage. This perennial herbaceous plant grows from rhizomes, forming dense clumps of linear, strap-like leaves that are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide and have a glossy texture. In late spring to early summer, it may produce small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers on a spadix, but its main ornamental appeal comes from its colorful foliage. 'Ogon' prefers partial to full shade but can tolerate some sun if the soil is consistently moist.
Thriving in consistently moist to wet soil, it is well-suited to boggy or water garden conditions and is low-maintenance, not requiring regular pruning. 'Ogon' is commonly used as a ground cover in wet areas such as pond edges, water gardens, or damp woodland gardens, and can also be grown in containers or along the margins of streams or water features.
Works well in
Borders · Woodland Gardens · Containers · Rock Gardens
Companion plants
Hostas · Ferns · Ligularia · Japanese Iris · Astilbes · Heucheras
Design tip
Plant along pond edges, streams, or shaded pathways where its golden foliage brightens darker spaces and defines graceful borders.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
