Hakonechloa macra

This attractive grass also known as both Hakone grass and Japanese Forest grass is grown for its eye-catching foliage. It is both long lived and tough and unlike many grasses, it is a lover of both shade and moist conditions. 

A native of Japan this beautiful grass forms attractive loose mounds of arching graceful leaves that ripple and rustle in the slightest breeze. The colour range throughout the seasons makes this a very attractive grass the colours change from green to a stunning copper orange shade in the cooler months of autumn - a fabulous choice for adding multi-seasonal interest colour and texture to shaded areas of the garden. The feathery flowers are charming during the summer and autumn months.. 

Hakonechloa is striking as an accent plant but also makes an effective ground cover and looks amazing along paths, around trees and also in containers.  Whilst variegated forms are commonly seen, this, the plain green leafed species form seems to be rarely offered and hard to come by.  

This plant performs to its best in partial shade in consistently moist but well drained soil and being perennial, it requires little maintenance. This plant does have delicate flowers which are generally unnoticed amongst the leaves from mid to late summer. Whilst morning sun can be fine, the very hot afternoon sun can scorch the leaves. Cut back the foliage to the ground in late winter or early spring before you see the new growth coming through.  Plants can be divided and this is best done in the spring.  Although this plant does spread by rhizomes, it is a slow grower.

Height between 30cm and 40cm and about 50cm in width. | Winter dormant

Pot size: 1 litre