All Gold Japanese Forest Grass Hakonechloa Mac 1 Gal

Hakonechloa macra, commonly called Japanese forest grass or Hakone grass, is a rhizomatous, shade-loving, deciduous perennial grass that is native both to moist mountain areas including wet rocky cliffs and to moist woodland areas in central Japan, including areas around Mt. Hakone from which both its genus name and common name are derived. Other common names include forest grass and Japanese forest grass. Gracefully arching, linear-lanceolate, bright green leaves (to 10" long and 3/8" wide) form dense, spreading, cascading mounds to 12-18" tall and to 24" wide. Leaves have a papery texture resembling the leaves of some types of bamboo.

'All Gold' is a more compact cultivar featuring bright golden yellow leaves. It typically grows to 14" tall and will spread over time to 18" wide. Yellow-green flowers bloom in loose, nodding panicles (to 6" long) in mid to late summer. Flowers have a delicate beauty on close inspection, but are not particularly showy from a distance.

Best grown in humusy, consistently moist, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates close to full shade, particularly in the hot summer climates of the deep South. Best growth occurs in climates with cool summer temperatures. Hardy in Zones 5-9. Plant foliage will burn in full sun locations and lose color intensity (particularly on variegated leaf cultivars) in full shade. Clumps spread by rhizomes, but are not considered to be invasive. Mulch in winter. Trim foliage to the ground in late winter to early spring before the new shoots emerge. Tolerant of urban growing conditions including air pollution. Propagation is easiest by division.