Acorus gramineus 'Ogon'

Flowers have minimal pollinator value, but dense fans offer shelter/edge habitat for amphibians and beneficial insects around water features.

Aromatic foliage is typically deer and rabbit resistant.

Peak color spring through fall; color best with bright light + ample moisture.

Semi-evergreen through winter in Zones ~6–9 (evergreen in very mild areas; deciduous in colder zones).

– Rain gardens, pond margins, bog gardens, water features, shade garden edging, bright accent in woodland beds, containers and trough gardens with constant moisture

Arching, narrow, grass-like fans; bright golden-yellow with fine green stripes/edges (variegated).

Semi-evergreen in mild climates; evergreen where winters are very mild; tips may bronze in cold or wind.

Tiny, greenish to yellow-green flowers borne on short, cigar-like spadices partly hidden among leaves; primarily late spring to early summer; not showy.

Choose a site with consistently moist to wet, organically rich soil; ideal along pond margins, rain-garden basins, or anywhere that stays damp.

Plant rhizome fans so the crown sits at soil level; in water features you can submerge the crown in up to ~2–5 cm (1–2 in) of water.

Space 20–30 cm (8–12 in) apart for a continuous edging; widen to 30–45 cm (12–18 in) if you want distinct clumps.

Work in compost or leaf mold before planting; mulch with shredded leaves or fine bark to retain moisture (keep mulch off the crown).

Best planting seasons: spring or early fall; water thoroughly at planting and keep evenly moist while establishing.

Minimal: in late winter or very early spring, comb or clip away tattered, winter-burned foliage.

If clumps look tired, shear to 5–7 cm (2–3 in) in early spring; fresh fans will quickly re-cover.

Divide every 2–3 years in spring to refresh vigor and maintain neat edging lines.

Keep evenly moist to wet at all times; do not allow to dry out.

Thrives with shallow standing water (crown just at or barely below the water surface).

In containers, use a water-retentive, peat-free bog mix and place saucer/reservoir underneath; refill frequently.

Part shade to bright open shade is ideal.
Tolerates morning sun in cool climates if soil is wet; avoid hot afternoon sun which can scorch or bleach the gold variegation.

In deep shade foliage will be more green-toned; in brighter light the gold is stronger (provided moisture is abundant).

Grown for foliage; no typical “harvest.”

For propagation, lift and divide rhizomes in spring; replant vigorous fans immediately and keep consistently moist.

Light feeder. Incorporate compost at planting, then top-dress with 1–2 cm (½–¾ in) of compost each spring.

Optional: apply a low-rate, slow-release balanced fertilizer in spring if soils are poor (avoid high nitrogen that can dilute variegation).

In water gardens, avoid soluble, high-nitrogen fertilizers that can encourage algae; compost top-dress is safer.

Produces small, inconspicuous spadix-type flowers on mature clumps, primarily pollinated by wind/insects opportunistically.

Ornamental value is foliage; flowering and seed set are unreliable and often negligible in ‘Ogon’.

For damp borders/rain gardens: Iris ensata, Iris laevigata, Ligularia, Rodgersia, Astilbe, Primula japonica, Caltha palustris (marsh marigold).

For woodland shade: Hosta, ferns (Athyrium, Dryopteris), Heuchera, Tiarella/Heucherella, Hakonechloa (with irrigation), Carex species.

For groundcover/edging contrast: Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’, Ajuga, Brunnera, Pulmonaria.

Around water features: Pontederia, Acorus ‘Minimus Aureus’ (dwarf), Carex elata ‘Aurea’.

Pair with dark foliage or blue-green textures to make the gold pop.