Gertens Plant Finder
Golden Japanese Forest Grass
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
Height: 18 inches
Spread: 20 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4a
Other Names: Japanese Woodland Grass, Golden Variegated Hakone
Brand: Gertens
Description:
Gold and green variegated leaves really light up the shade; Pink and red color in fall; best grown in shade
Ornamental Features
Golden Japanese Forest Grass is primarily valued in the garden for its cascading habit of growth. It attractive grassy leaves are green in color with showy gold variegation. The foliage often turns tan in fall.
Landscape Attributes
Golden Japanese Forest Grass is a dense herbaceous perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Golden Japanese Forest Grass is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Border Edging
- General Garden Use
- Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing
Golden Japanese Forest Grass will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
Golden Japanese Forest Grass is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a canvas of foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.
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