Acorus calamus Variegatus

Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' or Variegated Sweet Flag, is distinguished by a very elegant, graphic and semi-evergreen foliage. The long ribbon-like leaves, bright green with cream-white stripes along their length, reach up to 70-80cm (28-32in) long and form wide spreading clumps. The edges of the leaves are often finely plicate. The young spring shoots have a reddish colouration.

The Variegated Sweet Flag or Calamus develops from a running, ramified and vigorous rootstock, which thrives in permanently moist soil, even in shallow water. Therefore, it is a good choice for planting at the edge of a water feature or in a bed with very moist soil. Cultivating it in a large container, such as a zinc basin, also allows for the creation of a successful mini aquatic garden by associating it with two or three shallow water plants with contrasting forms and colours, for example Cyperus papyrus 'Akhenaton'.

Insignificant flowering in early summer, with creamy spikes.

The dried rootstock has aromatic properties still used in parapharmacy and phytotherapy.