Acorus gramineus 'Minimus Aureus'
Tried and True Recommended by 4 Professionals
Common Name: grassy-leaved sweet flag
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Acoraceae
Zone: 5 to 7
Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Spread: 0.5 to 0.75 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Description: Greenish yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Flowers not Showy
Leaves: Colorful, Fragrant
Tolerates: Wet Soil
Uses: Groundcover, Erosion Control, Rain Garden, Water Plant, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Best in light shade. Grows well in both boggy conditions (including very shallow water) and in moist garden soils. Scorched leaf tips will occur if soils are allowed to dry out. Appreciates some relief from hot summer sun (e.g., afternoon shade or filtered sun) when grown in hot summer climates. Slowly naturalizes by spreading roots.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This grassy-leaved sweet flag cultivar is a miniature or dwarf plant which looks like a grass but is actually a member of the acorus family. Features tufts of yellow grassy-like leaf blades which grow to only 3-4" tall and slowly spread by creeping roots to form a mat of golden foliage. Foliage is sweetly fragrant. Insignificant, sedge-like flower spikes (spadixes) of tiny, densely-packed, greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring. Flowers give way to tiny fleshy berries. Commonly called grassy-leaved sweet flag because of the aromatic, grass/iris-like foliage.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Scorch will occur if soils are not kept consistently moist to wet.

Garden Uses

Mass as a golden ground cover in small areas of water gardens, along streams or ponds or in moist open woodland gardens. Can be quite effective when planted between stepping stones (foot traffic stimulates aromatic release). Also effective in rock gardens or border fronts or as small landscape accents as long as the soil moisture requirements can be met.