Acorus gramineus

Acorus gramineus, more simply called the grass-like sweet flag, is a semi-aquatic perennial often used for ornamentation around water points. This lovely plant, also sometimes called Japanese rush, develops an elegant foliage that is both dense and fine, gathered in a beautiful slightly flared tuft, remaining decorative for a good part of the year. It can be cultivated in submerged conditions under 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) of water. The sweet flag is perfect for stabilizing banks, decorating small ponds, waterfalls, and streams!

Acorus gramineus is a plant from the Acoraceae family, native to Japan, Korea, and eastern Asia. This botanical species of wet to marshy areas can withstand freezing temperatures of around -12/-15°C. From the rhizomatous stump, weakly trailing, leaves similar in appearance to those of iris emerge, but narrower, leathery, shiny, and a beautiful bright green. It is aromatic when crushed and gives off a rather aniseed fragrance. The rhizomes, used in traditional Japanese medicine, are also fragrant: their scent resembles that of liquorice. This slow-growing perennial plant is not invasive. At maturity, it will form a clump of about 30cm (12in) in all directions. The greenish flowers are almost invisible, they are gathered in a small short spadix and appear in early summer.

This Japanese sweet flag forms a beautiful little green fountain in just a few years, which goes perfectly with Japanese irises, Asian primroses, or willowherbs on the banks of a pond. Similarly, you can also plant it in a trough or in a garden with particularly heavy and humid soil, in regions that are not too cold. It is also a good candidate for decorating small ponds, on a terrace or balcony. Its semi-evergreen foliage is very useful because it must be recognized that most bank plants disappear in winter. Hardy enough to withstand our normal winters, it will be preferable to overwinter it in regions with colder winters like in northeastern France. The potted plant will be installed in a cold greenhouse or in a well-ventilated and bright room, protected from frost, while keeping the soil always moist.