Description of Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' (Variegated Sweet Flag)

Acorus calamus 'Variegatus' is variegated sweet flag, a taller sweet flag with striped leaves. It gives a reed-like look and works well as a mid to back layer marginal.

Appearance

It forms upright fans of sword-shaped leaves with cream striping. Clumps often reach 60 to 100cm tall. Flowers are small and usually tucked in, so foliage does the job.

Care Guide

It likes wet soil and shallow water and stays best-looking with consistent moisture.

• Sun: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil: Wet soil or aquatic compost.
• Water: Saturated soil to shallow margins.
• Division: Divide in spring to control size.
• Tidy: Remove damaged leaves in spring.

In very rich compost it can grow lush and floppy, so avoid overfeeding.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens and pond edges where you want height without dense shade. It works well behind flowering plants like irises and lobelias.

In smaller bogs, keep it in a basket to limit spread.

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