|
Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’
golden Japanese forest grass
|
|
Image © Richie Steffen/Great Plant Picks
Image © Richie Steffen/Great Plant Picks
Image © Richie Steffen/Great Plant Picks |
Printer-friendly Fact Sheet
|
|
|
| Outstanding Qualities |
|
This deciduous grass erupts acid-yellow from the earth each spring. As the blades mature they reach slightly over a foot tall and then arch into an attractive, shaggy mound. In half-day sun, Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ will maintain its intense coloring through the summer. In open, bright shade it will soften to fresh-chartreuse by late June. This graceful eye-catching grass ripples gently in the slightest breeze bringing the garden alive with movement. Its light texture makes it a good grass for containers contrasting with other more rigid plants. Use Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ as a solid groundcover under small trees or under large shrubs. It also looks good with bold, dark-green foliage plants such as bergenias, podophyllums, hostas and works as a nice contrast with ferns. |
| Culture |
|
Plant Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in part shade. In full sun foliage easily burns or becomes bleached-out even with additional water. It spreads very slowly by rhizomes, about half the rate of other Japanese forest grasses, and never becomes a nuisance. It is best to divide in early spring just before the new foliage starts to emerge. Provide supplemental water during summer dry spells. Cut down in fall or early winter, otherwise the blades become mushy and harder to snip. Cats and dogs can be particularly fond of this grass and will regularly prune it if planted where they hang out. |
| Growing Habit |
|
This deciduous grass grows approximately 15 inches high and 3 feet wide in 5 years. If you use this as a groundcover, set plants 18 inches apart. |
| Hardiness |
|
USDA zones 5 to 8 |
|
© 2009 Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden
Funded by the Pendleton and Elisabeth Carey Miller Charitable Foundation
Administered by the Elisabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden