Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ – Golden Japanese Forest Grass, Hakone Grass

Golden Japanese Forest Grass is a variegated shade loving deciduous grass that forms dense cascading mounds of papery bright green foliage with golden stripes, or lime green stripes if grown in deep shade.  The summer yellow flower panicles are unnoticeable among the foliage.  Grows best in part shade and moist well-drained soil.  Can grow in full shade in the Deep South, or in full sun if soils consistently moist.  

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  Low maintenance plant.  Mulch in winter, and trim to ground in late winter to early spring before new foliage comes in.  Leaves may scorch in full sun if moisture is not consistent. 

LANDSCAPE USES: Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Naturalized Areas, Woodland Garden, Rock Gardens, Foundational Plantings, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Hydrangea, Coral Bells, Hosta

IMAGES: Photo by Megan Hansen, Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ aka Japanese Forest Grass, (2) Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ 2020-07-31 01, CC BY-SA 4.0, (3) Salicyna, Hakonechloa macra Aureola 2017-06-25 3197, CC BY-SA 4.0, (4) Salicyna, Hakonechloa macra Aureola 2017-06-25 3197, CC BY-SA 4.0

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.

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