{"title":"Acorus","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe genus Acorus has three species, the deciduous \u003cem\u003eAcorus americanus\u003c\/em\u003e (native to the US), \u003cem\u003eAcorus calamus\u003c\/em\u003e (Europe) and the evergreen \u003cem\u003eAcorus gramineus\u003c\/em\u003e (Asia) and all of them can be known by the common name calamus. Sweet flag is best used as an accent plant in moist woodland gardens or as a bog plant, where the exotic colors of yellow and variegated cultivars (like \u003cem\u003eAcorus calamus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Variegatus' or \u003cem\u003eAcorus gramineus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Ogon') are great in both summer and winter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe subtle charm of the gold or variegated forms of \u003cem\u003eAcorus gramineus\u003c\/em\u003e improves with age, as they blend effectively with a wide array of woodland and \u003ca title=\"bog plants\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/bog-garden-plants\"\u003ebog plants\u003c\/a\u003e. Although \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/decorative-ornamental-grasses-tall-small-dwarf-plant-varieties\"\u003eornamental grass\u003c\/a\u003e -like in appearance, acorus plants are not true ornamental grasses, but are in a family of their own (acoraceae) that is closely related to \u003ca title=\"See all Aroids for sale\" href=\"..\/collections\/aroids\"\u003earoids\u003c\/a\u003e. Gardeners can use sweet flag as they would an ornamental grass or iris in a shady or part sun area with average to high soil moisture. They are tough, low maintenance plants which makes them perfect for rain gardens.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe genus Acorus was recently determined to be the oldest and most primitive monocot genus . If you want to know what the first monocots looked like over 130 million years ago, look at a sweet flag today.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn the ethnobotany side, Sweet flag plants have long been used by Native Americans as an antibiotic, insecticide and to ease stomach and intestinal issues. The calamus root is also said to act as a stimulant and mild psychedelic. Far out! Acorus leaves are fragrant and when cut up can scent clothes and cupboards and at the same time repel insects. The leaves have a vanilla-like flavor and can be used in tea. So sweet flag is sweet on the stomach! Sweet flag's fragrant and bitter rhizome has also been used to flavor tea, candy and medicines and it is a good substitute for cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSweet flag flowers are similar to \u003ca title=\"calla lilies\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/calla-lilies-bulbs-for-sale-zantedeschia-lily\"\u003ecalla lilies\u003c\/a\u003e or peace lilies, only they are naked (no spathe - just a spadix). This immodest floral display led poet Walt Whitman to write his 'Calamus poems' in the 1860 work 'Leaves of Grass', using the flower is a symbol of 'manly love'. Whitman was also said to enjoy chewing the root to energize him on long walks. Henry David Thoreau also enjoyed sweet flag and described it as he walked near Walden Pond. We believe that you'll Thoreau-ly love the deer-resistant acorus too. Let your sweet flag fly in the garden today and grow acres of acorus! It is worth noting that \u003cem\u003eAcorus americanus\u003c\/em\u003e is also a North Carolina native plant.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"acorus-gramineus-ogon","title":"Acorus gramineus Ogon","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor over three decades, Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' has been a landscape staple in the gardens here at Juniper Level. This 1975 Barry Yinger introduction from Japan is a glaringly beautiful, evergreen perennial with brilliant yellow, deer-resistant foliage, brightest from fall through spring. While the overall effect is bright yellow, The foliage actually has a vertical green stripe down the side of each 1\/8\" wide plasticized leaf. This easy to grow groundcover forms a fabulous 1' tall slowly-widening patch...best in moist shade. It's roots have antifungal and antibacterial properties.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Ogon' sweet flag is a very low maintenance perennial. Because it's evergreen, it does not require an annual pruning. However, if the foliage looks tattered due to hail or other damage, it can be cut to the ground and will resprout quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll Acorus gramineus cultivars can be easily divided in any season that the ground isn't frozen. It will re-grown quite rapidly after division if they are promptly replanted and kept moist for the first few weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Conditions:\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn the garden, it prefers moist soil, although it is quite tolerant of short periods of drought. Light open shade or early morning sun is best. The foliage can burn in full sun, and growth slows dramatically in dense shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eGarden Value:\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe visual impact of 'Ogon' sweet flag in terms of both color and texture in the winter garden is quite striking, when many other woodland perennials are still dormant.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21000266501,"sku":"369","price":17.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Acorus-gramineus-Ogon.i-369.s-64652.r-1.jpg?v=1791485394"},{"product_id":"acorus-calamus-argenteostriatus","title":"Acorus calamus Argenteostriatus","description":"\u003cp\u003eAcorus calamus 'Argenteostriatus' is an aroid relative and former member of the \"family\" before being ousted by the molecular taxonomy mob. Acorus calamus is now in the horticulture protection program disguised as a dramatic, upright deciduous iris. The vivid white and green banded, deer-resistant leaves of \u003ca title=\"Acorus\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/acorus-calamus-sweet-flag-grass\"\u003eAcorus\u003c\/a\u003e calamus 'Argenteostriatus' make this one of the most strikingly beautiful vertical accent plants in the garden! The leaves are active with an array of volatile oils, hence its use in the manufacture of perfumes. Medicinally, \"calamus\" has long been used to treat nervous symptoms, epilepsy, diarrhea\/dysentery, abdominal tumors, rheumatism, liver and kidney ailments, and even used for memory enhancement. With all those uses, be sure to leave a bit to enjoy in the garden, where it spreads slowly by means of a very thick surface-dwelling rhizome. Sweet flag loves a moist spot such as a bog, but will also grow in ordinary garden soils...an easy-to-grow, carefree prize!\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21000553861,"sku":"767","price":19.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Acorus-calamus-Argenteostriatus.i-767.s-66552.r-1_b45d5bc7-0854-476d-9285-b03973569f58.jpg?v=1791491037"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/collections\/Acorus-gramineus-Licorice-b-1900x350.jpg?v=1681327809","url":"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/acorus-calamus-sweet-flag-grass.oembed","provider":"Plant Delights Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}