Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
' All amber ' Japanese Hakone pasturage . Photo by : Proven Winners
One of the few ornamental grasses that grows blithely in fond shadiness , Hakone grass ( also known as Japanese forest grass ) is prized for its gracefully arc bamboo - like leaf that changes color with the season and brings gentle movement to the garden . With their refined cascading habit , the slender leave make a waterfall - alike gist , especially when admit to cascade down slopes , urban sprawl over rocks , and spill over the boundary of containers .
Although this low - produce grass is shown to best event when planted in mass , it can also be used along way of life and walk , the front of the border , as a specimen flora , or as an underplanting for tree and shrubs .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Frequently Asked Questions
BASICS
Botanical name:
Hakonechloa macra(pronounced : hah - koe - neh - kloe - uh )
Common names:
Nipponese forest grass , forest dope , Hakone green goddess ( discover after the Mount Hakone region of central Japan , where this plant is a native )
Plant type:
Perennial
Zones:
5 - 9
Exposure:
Partial shade , with protection from hot good afternoon sun
Mature size:
12 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide
Habit:
Clump - forming , mounding habit
Bloom time:
Late bound until frost
Foliage:
lissome , arching , linear leave may be bright unripened , chartreuse , aureate yellow , or variegate , with a papery texture similar to the leave-taking of some character of bamboo . In fall , the foliage turn gorgeous shades of bronze , orange tree and flushed , providing multi - season interest .
Flowers:
aired , dark-green - xanthous panicles appear in mid - to - late summertime , but are inconspicuous and unremarkably disguise by the foliage .
Special attributes:
Landscape uses:
Borders , mass planting , container , rock ‘n’ roll gardens , timberland garden , Japanese - styleZen gardens , groundcover .
PLANTING JAPANESE FOREST GRASS
Photo by : Janet Loughrey
When to plant:
In outflow , after the peril of frost has devolve .
Where to plant:
Where you implant your Hakone grass often count on the variety you ’re grow . Types with golden or variegated leaves need partial or dappled shadowiness to forfend scorching of the leaf while those with unanimous greenish foliation can tolerate more sun . ward off discover plants to long periods of direct sunshine , especially during the hottest part of the day .
Soil:
Fertile , well - drained soil enriched with raft of organic issue to help it keep on wet . Hakone grass will not stand heavy mud soil or stain that drain poorly .
Planting in the garden:
labor a hole twice as wide and equal in depth to the root bollock . Place your industrial plant in the hole so the top of the ascendent ball is stage with the smother dirt and backfill , tamping down the soil gently to remove air pockets . Water thoroughly , and keep the soil evenly moist until established .
Spacing:
If using as a ground cover , space plants 18 to 24 column inch asunder , calculate on their width at adulthood .
Planting in containers:
Because of its tiresome growth rate and compact habit , Japanese forest forage is arrant for container , either alone or as a trotline plant in mixed arrangements . If planting alone , choose a pot with large drainage golf hole that ’s at least 2 inches in diam prominent than the greenhouse corporation . Fill it with a high - quality , well - drainingpotting soiland place the container in a partially shady location protected from blistering afternoon sun .
JAPANENSE FOREST GRASS CARE
Watering:
The key to the wellness of Nipponese woods grass is consistent watering . Even established plant will shrivel up in juiceless land , so it ’s important to keep the soil equally moist ( but not waterlogged ) throughout the growing time of year . During hot and juiceless stop , you may need to water your plant daily , specially when growing them in container .
Amendments and fertilizer:
To improve soil drainage and fertility , amend dull dirt with compost or other constituent matter . Also apply a stratum of mulch around the base of your plants to help oneself keep the stain nerveless and retain moisture .
Hakone eatage require little or no supplemental plant food if planted in rich , fat soil . However , container - grown plants will benefit from monthly feedings with a balanced plant food .
Pruning:
Give your plants an yearly trim in early bound , before fresh shoots emerge , to absent the dead leaf from the former time of year . In areas with dusty winters , it ’s best to leave the foliage entire over wintertime to serve supply insulation from harsh weather .
Propagating:
Because Hakone grass spreads by rootstock , it can easy be divide into get-go in other leap just as new growth set out . Species plants also pullulate easily from seed , but cultivars wo n’t produce plants that are truthful to the parent . ( * See note below on propagating or dividing patented plants . Check your industrial plant rag for the ® or ™ symbol by the plant name . )
Winter care:
In zone 7 and above , Hakone grass requires no special protection over winter . In colder regions ( zone 5 & 6 ) , apply a thick stratum of leaf or other mulchover the jacket crown in recent declension to provide insulation from extreme frigidness . Frost heave may be a problem if plant are left unprotected over wintertime .
If growing in a container , bury the container in the ground in former declension or move it to a sheltered placement away from the wind instrument . you may also cover the pot with straw or another insulating material .
Pests and diseases:
Japanese forest smoke has no serious insect or disease problems and is generally not bothered by deer .
JAPANESE FOREST GRASS VARIETIES
exposure by : Proven winner
' Aureola'—Buy now from Proven WinnersHakonechloa macra
Zones:5 - 9Height and spread:12 to 18 in tall and wide-eyed
A spectacular cultivar with motley leaf that are calcined lime unripe to yellow with creamy white stripes . When grown in part shade , the yellow tone in the leaves are more pronounced . In cryptic shade , the variegation will be lime green . In spill , the leave show off pink and cherry hue .
' All Gold'—Buy now from Proven WinnersHakonechloa macra
Zones:5 - 9Height and spread:9 to 14 inches marvellous and 18 to 24 inches wide
A new midget material body of Nipponese forest grass with whole - colorful gold sensationalistic leaves that lighten up shaded or woodland garden . The cascading , windswept form hand it the appearing of flowing water when draped over rock’n’roll or institute on a slope .
' Beni - kaze’Hakonechloa macra
Zones:6 - 9Height and spread:12 to 18 in tall , 24 to 30 inch wide
‘ Beni - kaze ’ ( which translate to “ red current of air ” ) is so - called because the bright green foliage acquires rich refinement of red and burgundy when the weather chill in fall . An excellent specimen plant life , it make an even greater impact when planted in drifts .
Photo by : Visions
' Nicolas’Hakonechloa macra
Zones:5 - 9Height and spread:12 to 18 inches magniloquent and 18 to 24 inches blanket
This lustrous green - bladed Hakone grass puts on its best show during the fall , when the leave of absence twist impassioned shades of Bolshevik and orange . As the weather cools , its colouration intensifies , providing splendid and long - lasting late - season colour .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does Japanese forest grass come back every year?
This recurrent green goddess will return year after year if you protect it with mulch in areas with cold winter .
Is Japanese forest grass hard to grow?
No . The upkeep of Hakone skunk is minimum . Once established , it demand little care beyond watering during periods of drouth , wintertime protection in frigid climates , and an annual pruning in other bound .
What does Hakone grass look like in winter?
In the downfall , the foliage takes on orangeness to reddish tones , then turn light brown before dying back in wintertime . Unlike many other decorative grasses , Japanese forest grass does not remain standing to supply winter interest group .
Does Japanese forest grass spread?
Yes , this recurrent grass spreading by underground rootstalk , but it ’s a slow grower and will not quickly overcome its neighbors .
Is Hakone grass drought tolerant?
In its native habitat , Hakone grass is accustomed to a coolheaded , damp mood and needs consistently moist soil to flourish . Be sure to water plants profoundly and regularly during keep up full point of drouth .
What are good companion plants for Japanese forest grass?
Combine with other spook - loving timber plants such ashostas , fern , astilbes , andheuchera . Cultivars with substantial gold or yellow - striped leaves are especially striking in direct contrast to plants withblueorpurpleflowers or patrician - green foliage . Or make acolor echoby pairing them with plants with similarly colored yellow or gold leave , such asShadowland ® ' Autumn Frost ' hosta .
- REGARDING PROPAGATION : When it come to disperse patent plant life , there are strict rules in place prohibiting breeding or propagation of these plants in any way . This means you ca n’t reproduce them ( even for use in your own garden ) , sell them , or lend them into the area without permission . The law does not make exceptions for what some might consider minor infringements . Any unauthorized use of patented plant is consider an infringement .
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