Sweet Flag (Acorus americanus) organically grown flower seeds. Floral Encounters.
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Item # Packet size Nett Weight Number Seeds(approx) Price Qty
Small 0.65 g 100 seeds $3.50

Please note: all seeds are sold by weight and seed count is approximate.

To keep seed prices low much of our seed is semi cleaned. More Info

 

Sweet flag is a great wetland or boggy area plant. It is hardy to zone 3 and not really fussy about soil type. It does best with good rich soil but it will grow in other conditions. It cannot tolerate getting dry. Ideal for boggy areas, sides of streams or in ponds. Will spread rapidly once established and needs little if any care. The whole plant has a lovely aroma and the roots are edible. Not suitable for rain gardens as they tend to dry out at times. We don't think the deer eat it but cant be certain.

Description of Sweet Flag (Acorus americanus).
Sweet flag is a hardy wetland perennial plant with sword shaped leaves that strongly resemble those of Iris plants but are greener. Their resemblance is what gives this plant its common name 'sweet flag' as the leaves resemble the yellow flag iris. However, the plant is not an iris, a rush or a sedge despite its many common names.
Sweet flag has a spreading rootstock from which every spring a tuft of basal leaves emerge. They are sword shaped, flattened with one wavy edge and a prominent midrib with other parallel veins. These leaves are about ¾" (2 cm) wide and up to 4 feet (122 cm) tall, and fairly bright green. In late spring some leaves develop a 'flower' which is a cylindrical spadix, usually 2-4" (5-10 cm) long and semi erect and just below the leaf tips. This spadix is covered with tiny greenish yellow flowers in a diamond-shaped pattern. Flowers last for about a month and are very sweet scented. Sweet flag is pollinated by insects, which ones is not precisely known. However although these occur in the United States and its original home in India and Asia they do not appear to be present in Europe. Hence the plant does not produce fruit in that continent. Where it is pollinated the fruit is a tiny greenish berry which is sparingly produced. The whole plant is aromatic and emits a pleasant aroma when bruised. It is hardy to zone 3.

Location and Care of Sweet Flag (Acorus americanus).
This is a wetland plant and needs water. It also needs full sun but will tolerate a little shade especially in higher numbered zones (7 and higher) . It prefers rich soil for the best growth but will grow in poorer soil but not as well. It will grow in standing water, boggy soils or soils that are consistently moist. It can be grown in any garden provided the water is provided for it, but it is ideal for stream sides, ponds and wet areas. It is not recommended for rain gardens as these often dry out during the year.
For best results ensure that the soil has plenty of organic material dug into it. Plant out slightly below the soil surface in moist soils or at the water's edge. The leaf tips will scorch if the soils dry out. Plant about 10 inches (25 cm) apart. When established the plants will grow rapidly and spread out.
Plant spread will only be limited by the size of the wetland. If containment is required plant in containers to prevent sweet flag from taking over the area. Sweet flag is very hardy, easily to zone 3. It dies down and goes dormant every winter. Provided that the plants do not dry out sweet flag needs almost no additional care or maintenance. Just plant and enjoy.

Growing sweet flag (Acorus americanus) from seed.
Best grown in small pots with a few seeds per pot, depending on the size. Stand pots in about 1 inch (3cm) of water to ensure they are constantly moist. Pot up seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle. Keep wet by standing pots in shallow water and harden off outside. Once the plants are large enough plant out in final location about 10 inches (25 cm) apart. As long as they are kept moist they need very little additional care.

Pests and Problems with Sweet Flag (Acorus americanus).
There are no serious insect or disease problems. Scorch will occur if soils are not kept consistently moist to wet. The main problem is aquatic animals. Muskrats love to eat the tubers. If you are planting in a wetland situation these can be a major problem. At present we are unsure if deer eat them, they have not eaten ours yet and they are outside our main deer fence. However they are not on the 'deer route' and may just not have been discovered yet.

Due to recent developments in research into this species as well as Acornus calamus this section is being re-written.

 
Item # Packet size Nett Weight Number Seeds(approx) Price Qty
Small 0.65 g 100 seeds $3.50

Please note: all seeds are sold by weight and seed count is approximate.

To keep seed prices low much of our seed is semi cleaned. More Info