Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus' 
(Calamus, Grassy Leaved Sweet Flag, Japanese Rush, Japanese Sweet Flag, White Striped Sweet Flag)

Origin:  Native to Japan
Family:  Araceae
Light:  Full sun-part shade
Height:   6-18"
Spacing:  9-12"
Blooms:  Spikes, tiny, chartreuse, late Spring
Foliage:  Variegated, semi-evergreen, herbaceous, linear, aromatic, smooth, green and cream vertical stripes
Soil:  Acidic, moist-wet
Water:  Moderate-high
Uses:  Ornamental, foliage, bog garden, rock garden, around ponds, groundcover, mass plant, erosion control, naturalizing
Propagation:  Rhizome  divisions
 
Comments:  Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus' or Calamus or Grassy Leaved Sweet Flag or Japanese Rush or Japanese Sweet Flag or White Striped Sweet Flag is an ornamental perennial grass with a slow clumping growth habit. It is a native of Japan.  In late Spring or early Summer, Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus' produces spikes of tiny chartreuse flowers, followed later by fleshy red berries.  It has showy 1/4" wide blade variegated linear foliage with green and cream lateral stripes; it is fragrant when bruised.  Calamas is easily propagated from rootball divisions.  It thrives best in moist to wet soil in a sunny to part shade environment.  Grassy Leaved Sweet Flag is water-loving.  It can be cultivated in containers and can tolerate standing water up to 3" in depth.  Deers and rabbits would not go near these plants.  great for erosion control.  Japanese Rush has rhizomatous roots that creep and spread to form a dense clump.  It is excellent for soil erosion.  In colder areas, Japanese Sweet Flag dies back to the ground while in warmer areas, it is an evergreen plant.  White Striped Sweet Flag naturalizes well.  Mass plant as striking ground cover around ponds or in wet garden.  Grow Acorus gramineus 'Variegatus' in a woodland setting for an eye catching effect.  The tufted fan-like  foliage looks fabulous in accent planting.  Calamus looks appealing in a bog garden and just as appealing in rock gardens with sufficient watering.  When Grassy Leaved Sweet Flag gets too crowded, it can be divided in Spring every two years or so.  Japanese Sweet Flag is a terrific show stopper both on land and in water.

USDA Zones:  5-10