Hakonechloa macra

Hakonechloa macra: Rippling Green Waves Under the Trees

Japanese Forest Grass in plain bright green sounds boring until you see it move. Arching, bamboo-like blades cascade like a waterfall, then turn orange-copper in fall like they've been saving up. UNDERSTATED UNTIL IT ISN'T.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hakonechloa macra
• Common Name: Japanese Forest Grass, Hakone Grass
• Height: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Spread: 45–90 cm (1.5–3 ft), slowly widening over the years
• Flowers: Insignificant, airy pale sprays
• Bloom Time: Late summer (August to September)
• Foliage: Bright green, arching, bamboo-like blades, turning orange-copper in fall
• Features: Spreads slowly by rhizomes

Where to Plant: Use it under trees with decent moisture, along shady paths, or massed on a slope where its flowing shape shows off, and it suits Japanese-style gardens and calm woodland plantings. It can take more sun if the soil stays moist.

Companion Plants: Plant Japanese forest grass along the front of a moist, shady bed, where its cascading blades soften bolder leaves around it. Helleborus HGC® Ice N' Roses® Bennotta opens maroon-red flowers at 30 to 40 cm from March to May, before the grass fills in. Heuchera FOREVER® 'Midnight' adds near-black foliage at 30 cm, a sharp contrast to the bright green. Hosta Shadowland® Giant 'Gigantosaurus' rises behind with huge grey-green leaves at 76 to 81 cm. Tricyrtis 'Autumn Glow' brings orchid-like toad lily flowers at 60 to 66 cm in August and September, just as the grass starts to colour.

Plant Care: Plant it in moist, rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. It struggles in heavy, poorly drained clay and in dry shade. Light shade is ideal; with reliable moisture, it can take more sun. Water through the first season and in dry spells. Mulch in fall in zone 5 gardens. Cut the old leaves to the ground in early spring, before new growth starts. It spreads slowly by rhizomes and rarely needs dividing. If you want more, divide in spring.

History: Hakonechloa macra is endemic to Japan and is the only species in its genus, whose name means Hakone grass, after the Hakone region near Mount Hakone on Honshu. Popular selections such as the striped 'Aureola' and the solid gold 'All Gold' are forms of this same species.

Final Thoughts: Plant a sweep under the trees and let it ripple. Deer leave it alone and it spreads slowly. THE SLOW BURN WAS WORTH IT.