If you have a pond, rain garden, or other wet site, American Sweetflag, a freshwater aquatic plant, could be a lovely addition! "Sweet" indicates the delightful aroma the leaves give off when crushed - a spicy, cinnamon-like scent. “Flag” refers to an older name for irises, which the upright fans of bright green, sword-shaped leaves resemble (although Acorus and Iris are only distantly related). American Sweetflag thrives in sunny soggy spots, spreading via rhizomes to form dense colonies that stabilize the soil. Discreet greenish-yellow flowers on cylindrical spikes are tucked along the stems, adding subtle texture and give rise to fleshy brown berries. American Sweetflag will charm as it gives definition to pond edges or fills a boggy area in your landscape.
Conditions: Full sun to part sun; wet to consistently moist soil; can grow in shallow standing water
Size: 2'-4' tall; 2'-3' wide
Zone: 3 - 6
Wildlife Value: Provides cover for small wildlife in wetland settings; deer resistant
Photo: Aaron Volkening