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Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass)

Hakone Grass, Japanese Forest Grass

AGM Award
Hakonechloa Macra, Hakone Grass, Japanese Forest Grass, Shade grasses, part shade grass, full shade grass, Japanese grass

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’.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • 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 24 in. tall and wide (60 cm).
  • Easy to grow, and resilient to pests and diseases, this ornamental grass requires little maintenance and 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.
  • 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.
  • Propagate by division in mid-spring

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses, Perennials
Plant Family Poaceae
Genus Hakonechloa
Common names Hakone Grass, Japanese Forest Grass
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Modern Garden, Japanese Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Hakonechloa macra ‘Stripe It Rich’ (Hakone Grass)
Hakonechloa macra ‘Alboaurea’ (Hakone Grass)
Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ (Hakone Grass)
Hakonechloa macra ‘Nicolas’ (Hakone Grass)
Hakonechloa macra ‘Naomi’ (Hakone Grass)
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)

Recommended Companion Plants

Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ (Coral Bells)
Astilbe ‘Red Sentinel’ (Japonica Hybrid)
Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana (Siberian Spurge)
Euphorbia polychroma (Cushion Spurge)
Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Firetail’ (Mountain Fleece)
Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’
Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew)
Hosta ‘Patriot’ (Plantain Lily)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass)
Plant Combination Ideas with Hakone Grass
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 5 - 9
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses, Perennials
Plant Family Poaceae
Genus Hakonechloa
Common names Hakone Grass, Japanese Forest Grass
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Full Shade, Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Modern Garden, Japanese Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Hakonechloa (Hakone Grass)
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