This depressed - upkeep perennial shape a dense pot - like ground cover in wet soil and grows even in standing water .
Sweet flag is a genus of Gunter Grass - like , low - upkeep perennials . It grows well in moist soil or several inches of endure water , fix it an excellent pick when used as an accent plant inwater gardensor moist , waterlogged areas along shorelines . Sweet flagstone disseminate slowly over time via rootstock and forms a dense ground cover . The leafage of sweet flag has a light , sweet scent when vanquish .
The most wide known mellisonant signal flag species isAcorus calamus , which is native to Asia and Europe and was insert into North America by colonist in the 1600s . It has domesticate over clip throughout much of the eastern and central United States , but it is not see invasive .
Where to Plant Sweet Flag
Sweet flagstone can be found in full sun to partial shade where the soil is systematically dampish to wet . At the bound of a pond or creek or boggy circumstance with shallow standing urine ( up to 4 in ) are ideal . Sweet flag is happy with slightly acidic to indifferent soil . you’re able to also plant it directly in a pond or other standing water but place it in a container , which confines the root ontogeny .
Other good landscape uses of sweet flag are damp or wet hillside , streambanks , or slopes , which can be stabilized with mass plantings of sweet flagstone and thus facilitate with erosion control .
How and When to Plant Sweet Flag
Sweet flag can be planted in the spring or in the summer . delve a hole that is about 1.5 time as wide as the root ball and about as deep . Set the works in the hole and backfill it with original stain . Water it well after establish .
outer space plant 1 human foot aside .
Sweet Flag Care Tips
odoriferous flag take fiddling care if it ’s set in a location where it naturally gets a caboodle of wet . In teetotal locations , you ’ll need to keep up with watering .
Light
While sweet flag can grow infull sun , this also means that it necessitate more water because the soil dries out quicker . If you planted it in a very wet location , or in stand water , full sunshine is fine .
Soil and Water
As long as the soil is consistently moist , mellifluous flag is not choosy in terms of filth ; it can even grow in heavy Lucius Clay but opt prolific land with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 .
Temperature and Humidity
The hardiness ofAcorusvaries somewhat with the species . American sweet flag is the audacious , it can be grown down to Zone 3 . When grow in a warm to hot climate , a location in partial shade is recommend to protect it from the scorching good afternoon sun .
High humidity is not an publication for the plant , but ironic atmospheric condition are not suited .
Fertilizer
add up a slow - release fertilizer in the natural spring at the showtime of the produce time of year and again a couple of times in the summertime . Stop fertilise in the previous summertime because new leaf growth is particularly vulnerable to Robert Lee Frost .
Pruning
There is normally no pauperism to cut sweetened sword lily . If it looks untidy , trend it back slightly just like ornamental grass .
Potting and Repotting Sweet Flag
implant seraphic signal flag in pot is a secure mind to keep it in baulk but the container needs to be immersed in standing water or boggy grime to allow the consistent moisture the plant needs .
found it in a container that is about 4 inches big than the current root ball and has large drain hollow . Fill the container with a layer of crushed rock , followed by deep , fat soil or potting intermixture . go down the container into its permanent location .
Repot the plant in a larger pot when the roots have reached the side of the pot or grow out of the drain hole .
Pests and Problems
mellifluous masthead has no serious insect or disease issue and it is deer - resistant .
Leaf scorch is a sign that the plant life is not getting sufficient wet . The edges of the leaves can turn brown in the wintertime , but the plants ordinarily recuperate in the spring .
How to Propagate Sweet Flag
Sweet sword lily is bestpropagated by divisionof a large fledged clump that is at least 2 to 4 geezerhood old . In the former spill or early springiness before the new growth starts , dig up the entire clump with a shovel . Separate it into sections of 2 to 4 inch each and plant them in suitable moist to wet location about 4 to 6 inches cryptic and 1 metrical foot apart .
Types of Sweet Flag
Variegated Sweet Flag
Acorus calamus‘Variegatus ’ is a cultivar with motley leave of absence that have lily-white and green stripes . The industrial plant grows 2 to 2.5 feet tall and spreads 1.5 to 2 feet . zona 4 - 10
Grassy-Leaved Sweet Flag
Acorus gramineusis asemi - evergreen gratifying flag species native to Asia . It has narrow , grass - like leaf blades and grows only 6 to 12 inches tall . ‘ Ogon ’ is a popular cultivar . Zone 5 - 9
American Sweet Flag
genus Acorus americanus , the American sweet signal flag , is a dauntless wetland plant that is native to the northern United States and Canada where it grows in swamp and peat bog . It grows 2 to 3 feet marvelous and wide . Zone 3 - 6
Sweet Flag Companion Plants
Louisiana Iris
Louisianairisesare native to sphere of North America . Many hybrids have been developed , but one of the most elegant is the godforsaken , crimson - flowered speciesthat flourishes beside ponds . geographical zone 5 - 9
Pitcher Plant
Pitcher plantis a carnivorous , waterside plant with tube - shaped leaf and engrossing springtime red , purple , yellow , or green flowers . Zone 2 - 11 , reckon on eccentric
Cardinal Flower
Cardinal blossom , an excellent late - summertime foul-up , is a perennial that will thrive at the edge of a H2O garden or fountain . The bright red blossom draw hummingbirds . geographical zone 3 - 9
Frequently Asked Questions
It does flower from spring to former summer , but the yellow - green or greenish - yellow flower spikes are tiny and insignificant , and they typically are only acquire when the plant is grown in water .
When crushed . sweet-smelling flag leaves smell spicy or with citrusy overtone of lemon or tangerine . The roots ofAcorus calamus sense of smell of Ceylon cinnamon tree when crush .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
