Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
' All Gold ' Nipponese Hakone grass . Photo by : Proven winner
One of the few decorative grasses that farm happily in partial shade , Hakone grass ( also cognise as Nipponese woodland skunk ) is prized for its gracefully curve bamboo - like foliage that exchange color with the season and brings easy movement to the garden . With their elegant cascading habit , the slender leaves make a waterfall - like effect , especially when allowed to cascade down down slope , conurbation over stone , and shed over the edges of containers .
Although this low - growing pasturage is shown to best gist when planted in masses , it can also be used along paths and walkways , the front of the border , as a specimen industrial plant , or as an underplanting for trees and shrub .
On this Thomas Nelson Page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Frequently Asked Questions
BASICS
Botanical name:
Hakonechloa macra(pronounced : hah - koe - neh - kloe - uh )
Common names:
Japanese forest dope , forest locoweed , Hakone gage ( distinguish after the Mount Hakone neighborhood of central Japan , where this plant is a native )
Plant type:
Perennial
Zones:
5 - 9
Exposure:
Partial shade , with protection from hot afternoon Sunday
Mature size:
12 to 18 inch tall and 12 to 24 inches wide
Habit:
Clump - forming , mound substance abuse
Bloom time:
tardy spring until frost
Foliage:
slim , arching , linear leaves may be brilliant unripe , chartreuse , golden yellow , or motley , with a papery texture interchangeable to the parting of some eccentric of bamboo . In fall , the leaf turns gorgeous shade of bronze , orange and red , provide multi - season interest .
Flowers:
Airy , greenish - yellowish panicles appear in mid - to - former summertime , but are invisible and usually disguised by the foliage .
Special attributes:
Landscape uses:
Borders , mass plantings , container , rock garden , woodland gardens , Japanese - styleZen gardens , groundcover .
PLANTING JAPANESE FOREST GRASS
Photo by : Janet Loughrey
When to plant:
In spring , after the danger of Robert Lee Frost has passed .
Where to plant:
Where you plant your Hakone grass often depends on the variety you ’re maturate . Types with prosperous or variegated leaves need fond or dappled shade to avoid scorching of the leafage while those with solid light-green foliage can tolerate more sun . Avoid let on plant to long geological period of lineal sunlight , particularly during the hot part of the day .
Soil:
Fertile , well - run out soil enrich with plenty of organic issue to avail it keep moisture . Hakone grass will not stand gravid clay soil or soils that drain poorly .
Planting in the garden:
Dig a hole doubly as wide and adequate in depth to the ascendent ball . Place your plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is degree with the environ soil and backfill , tamping down the grease softly to remove air pockets . Water good , and keep the soil evenly moist until established .
Spacing:
If using as a groundcover , space plants 18 to 24 inches apart , bet on their width at maturity .
Planting in containers:
Because of its slow growth pace and compact wont , Japanese forest dope is perfect for container , either alone or as a setline plant in sundry arrangements . If set alone , choose a pot with large drainage trap that ’s at least 2 inches in diam great than the nursery pot . fill up it with a in high spirits - quality , well - drainingpotting soiland lieu the container in a partly louche localisation protect from blistering afternoon sun .
JAPANENSE FOREST GRASS CARE
Watering:
The key to the health of Japanese forest grass is consistent watering . Even make plants will wither in dry soil , so it ’s crucial to keep the soil evenly moist ( but not waterlogged ) throughout the arise season . During red-hot and dry periods , you may need to irrigate your plants daily , specially when growing them in containers .
Amendments and fertilizer:
To improve land drainage and fertility rate , better dense soils with compost or other constituent matter . Also go for a stratum of mulch around the base of your plants to help keep the soil cool and hold back wet .
Hakone grass demand little or no supplemental fertilizer if planted in rich , fertile land . However , container - get plants will benefit from monthly feedings with a balanced plant food .
Pruning:
Give your plants an annual trim in early spring , before novel shoots emerge , to murder the dead foliage from the previous season . In country with dusty wintertime , it ’s best to allow the leaf entire over wintertime to assist provide insularity from harsh weather .
Propagating:
Because Hakone pasturage spreads by rhizomes , it can easily be separate into offset in former outflow just as new growth begins . Species plant also sprout easily from seed , but cultivars wo n’t farm plant that are genuine to the parent . ( * See note below on distribute or dividing patented works . insure your plant life tags for the ® or ™ symbolisation by the plant name . )
Winter care:
In zone 7 and above , Hakone Gunter Grass demand no particular protective covering over winter . In colder regions ( zone 5 & 6 ) , apply a thick layer of leaves or other mulchover the crown in late fall to provide insulating material from extreme frigidity . Frost lift may be a job if plants are left unprotected over winter .
If produce in a container , swallow the container in the background in tardy dusk or move it to a sheltered locating away from the steer . you may also cover the Mary Jane with chaff or another insulating material .
Pests and diseases:
Nipponese forest grass has no serious louse or disease problem and is generally not bothered by deer .
JAPANESE FOREST GRASS VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven Winners
' Aureola'—Buy now from Proven WinnersHakonechloa macra
Zones:5 - 9Height and spread:12 to 18 inches tall and wide
A striking cultivar with variegated leaves that are lime dark-green to yellow with creamy ashen grade insignia . When grown in part shadowiness , the xanthous feel in the leaves are more pronounced . In cryptical ghost , the variegation will be lime unripened . In fall , the leave show off pink and red hue .
' All Gold'—Buy now from Proven WinnersHakonechloa macra
Zones:5 - 9Height and spread:9 to 14 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches all-embracing
A Modern dwarf soma of Japanese wood sens with substantial - colored golden lily-livered leave of absence that clear up shaded or woodland gardens . The cascading , windswept form gives it the coming into court of menstruate water when draped over rocks or plant on a slope .
' Beni - kaze’Hakonechloa macra
Zones:6 - 9Height and spread:12 to 18 inches tall , 24 to 30 inch wide
‘ Beni - kaze ’ ( which translate to “ flushed fart ” ) is so - call because the bright green foliation acquire rich shades of red and burgundy when the weather condition cools in autumn . An excellent specimen plant , it creates an even greater impingement when planted in drifts .
pic by : vision
' Nicolas’Hakonechloa macra
Zones:5 - 9Height and spread:12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide
This lustrous green - bladed Hakone pasture put on its best show during the twilight , when the leaves turn flaming spectre of red ink and orangish . As the weather cools , its coloration intensifies , providing smart as a whip and long - last late - time of year color .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does Japanese forest grass come back every year?
This perennial grass will hark back year after year if you protect it with mulch in country with cold winter .
Is Japanese forest grass hard to grow?
No . The care of Hakone pot is minimal . Once established , it requires little care beyond lachrymation during periods of drought , wintertime shelter in colder climates , and an annual pruning in former outflow .
What does Hakone grass look like in winter?
In the fall , the foliation takes on orange to ruddy tones , then twist short brown before dying back in winter . Unlike many other ornamental grasses , Nipponese forest grass does not remain fend to allow wintertime interest .
Does Japanese forest grass spread?
Yes , this perennial gage spreads by secret rhizomes , but it ’s a wearisome grower and will not rapidly overtake its neighbor .
Is Hakone grass drought tolerant?
In its native home ground , Hakone Mary Jane is accustomed to a cool , damp mood and needs systematically moist soil to thrive . Be trusted to water plants deeply and on a regular basis during prolonged menstruation of drouth .
What are good companion plants for Japanese forest grass?
Combine with other shade - loving woodland plants such ashostas , ferns , astilbes , andheuchera . Cultivars with solid gold or yellow - striped leaves are peculiarly striking in contrast to plants withblueorpurpleflowers or blue - green foliage . Or produce acolor echoby pair off them with plants with similarly tinge yellowish or gold leaves , such asShadowland ® ' Autumn Frost ' hosta .
- REGARDING generation : When it comes to broadcast patent plants , there are strict rule in place prohibiting reproduction or propagation of these works in any means . This means you ca n’t procreate them ( even for use in your own garden ) , deal them , or bring them into the country without license . The constabulary does not make elision for what some might consider minor violation . Any unauthorized use of patent plant is considered an misdemeanor .
RELATED READING
