Extraordinarily eye-catching, Hakonechloa macra 'Alboaurea' (Hakone Grass) is a very elegant golden variegated grass that adds drama to any garden. Its foliage forms a cascading mound of gracefully arching, narrow leaves that are vibrantly striped creamy-white, bright yellow, and green. Taking a reddish tinge in full sun, the foliage often turns reddish in fall before dying to the ground in winter.

Adding a jolt of color to any garden or container, Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' (Hakone Grass) is a brilliant golden grass that literally gleams in the shade. Its bright foliage forms a cascading mound of gracefully arching, slender blades that tend to become chartreuse in shade, and pure gold in the sun. Holding its vibrant color from spring through summer, it develops a pinkish blush as fall arrives and eventually turns golden tan in winter, before dying to the ground. But what a beautiful death with its foliage lighting up dreary corners of the garden well into winter.

One of the most superb ornamental grasses, Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Hakone Grass) is a very beautiful golden variegated grass. Its foliage forms attractive mounds of gracefully arching, shiny leaves that ripple in the slightest breeze. The leaves are almost entirely variegated with gold longitudinal stripes that take chartreuse colors in the shade and turn brighter in the sun. Bringing alive any garden area, its foliage provides outstanding fall color when it changes to exquisite copper-orange shades before dying to the ground in winter.

A recent introduction of great interest, Hakonechloa macra 'Naomi' (Hakone Grass) forms a compact cascading mound of gracefully arching, slender blades, beautifully variegated creamy-yellow and green throughout spring and summer. As soon as the cooler weather of fall sets in, the soft foliage turns gradually brilliant purplish-red, creating a delightful explosion of colors. The cooler the weather, the more colorful the foliage gets.

A true beauty for shady combinations, Hakonechloa macra 'Nicolas' (Hakone Grass) is a very interesting Japanese Forest Grass. Forming a compact cascading mound of gracefully arching, slender blades, its solid green foliage throughout spring and summer, turns brilliant red, orange, and gold as soon as the cooler weather of fall sets in. The cooler the weather, the more incandescent the foliage gets, before dying to the ground.

Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass) is a very beautiful perennial grass forming a cascading mound of gracefully arching, bright, rich-green leaves that ripple in the slightest breeze. Bringing alive any garden area, its soft foliage provides great fall color when it changes to exquisite copper-orange shades and persists into winter. Delicate airy sprays of green flowers appear in mid-late summer but are generally unnoticed among the leaves. Hakonechloa macra is more sun tolerant, drought tolerant, cold-hardy, faster growing, and easier to propagate than 'Aureola'.

While extraordinarily good-looking on its own, Hakone Grass however looks most stunning when planted with companion plants.