Japanese forest grass

Hakonechloa macra

Japanese woodland grass forming low arching mounds of cascading green foliage like flowing water. The cultivar ‘Aureola’ adds gold foliage with green pinstripes, glowing in dappled shade.

Hardiness ratings

Japanese forest grass hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 5–9 −28.9 °C to −1.1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H6 −20 °C to −15 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 6–8 −18 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 2–5 −10 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Plant in dappled shade in moist humus-rich soil — one of the few ornamental grasses for shade, the cultivar ‘Aureola’ in particular lights up dark corners
  • Cut down to ground level in late winter before new growth
  • Slow to establish but very long lived once settled
  • Resents drought and full sun — leaves scorch in either

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Japanese forest grass against your zones

Reference

Japanese forest grass on Wikipedia