Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)

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. Delicate-looking flowers appear in late summer but are generally unnoticed among the leaves.

• Grown for its handsome and eye-catching foliage, this ornamental grass is long-lived, tough, and unlike most grasses, loves moist shady conditions.
• Typically grows in dense, spreading cascading mounds, up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm).
• Won multiple awards, including the Perennial Plant of the Year award (2009) and the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Easy to grow and resilient to pests and diseases, this ornamental grass requires little maintenance. It is a fabulous addition to shady areas where it can grow as a superb accent plant, or as an effective groundcover, along paths, around trees, or in containers.
• Performs best in part shade in consistently moist, humus-rich, and well-drained soils. Full shade is tolerated, specifically in hot summer climates. However, the foliage might lose its color intensity.
• Cut back foliage to the ground in late winter or early spring before the new shoots appear. Provide winter mulch.
• Best divided in spring. Though this grass does spread by rhizomes, it is a slow grower, and it will not be necessary to divide this grass for many years.