Plant of the Week- Golden Japanese Forest Grass {Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'}

Have you ever noticed that sun-loving plants usually get the spotlight?  But for those of us with maturing landscapes full of large shrubs and trees, 5+ hours of direct sunlight may be hard to come by.  I’d like to take a minute and introduce you to one of my favorites for not-so-sunny spots.  Let’s take a minute and focus on the shady side of things…

Golden Japanese forest grass {Hakonechloa marca 'Aureola'} is the perfect border plant for shade gardens.  Growing to just 18’’ tall, it’s a perfect companion for heuchera, hostas, and astilbe.  The airy texture is a must, and the bright golden foliage brightens up dark corners. 

This grass is a slow grower, so you don’t have to worry about constant division or overgrowth.  Also, Japanese forest grass is insect and disease resistant and not generally favored by deer.  Maintenance for this shade lover is at a minimum.  Simply cut it to the ground in late fall or wait until early spring {dry grasses add interest to winter landscapes}. 

USDA Zones: 5-9
Height: 12-18''
Width: 12-18’’
Exposure: Part Sun/Shade
Water Requirements: prefers moist, well-drained soil

Photo: Dancing Oaks Nursery

www.dancingoaks.com