Hakone grass, also known as Hakonechloa or Japanese forest grass, is a stunning evergreen ornamental grass that can bring a hint of tranquility and elegance to your garden. This grass is visually appealing, low-maintenance, and relatively easy to cultivate.
When it comes to growing Hakone grass in your garden, there are several factors to consider.
But don’t worry!
My guide will cover everything you need to know to cultivate and care for Hakone grass in your outdoor space.
Hakone Grass Overview
Hakone grass is a versatile plant with ornamental value, ideal for rock gardens and woodland gardens.
It thrives in shady or partly sunny locations and brightens any garden with bright green leaves.
This perennial plant forms cascading mounds of soft, lime-green foliage that takes on stunning hues of coppery orange in the fall.
I love how it’s deer-resistant and works well as a ground cover for slope erosion control. It can also be grown in containers, adding a hint of elegance to patios and balconies in urban gardens.
Types of Hakone Grass
This ornamental grass comes in different types. Below are a few that I would recommend for your garden:
- Hakonechloa macra “Aureola”: The Hakonechloa macra “Aureola” is a compact cultivar. It reaches 12-18 inches tall and boasts bright golden-yellow leaves with delicate lime-green stripes.
- Golden Japanese Forest Grass: The golden Japanese forest grass features vibrant golden-yellow foliage that maintains its color all season, growing 9-14 inches tall.
- Albostriata (White Striped): If you have a sunnier spot, ‘Albostriata’ is a great choice. This Japanese forest grass features dark green foliage with contrasting white stripes of varying widths. It tolerates full sun than golden varieties, grows faster, and reaches a mature height of 3 feet.
Planting Hakone Grass
Plant your Hakone grass in early spring to give it a head start and establish a strong root system before winter. Here’s how to do it:
- Dig a roomy hole. Make it twice as broad as the root ball and a bit shallower than its height. This gives the roots space to spread comfortably.
- Place your Japanese forest grass in the hole. Backfill the hole with well-drained soil and pat it down gently.
- Water deeply and regularly. Aim for evenly moist soil until your Japanese forest grass is established.
- Space your ornamental grasses strategically. Depending on the variety’s mature size, I suggest leaving 12 to 24 inches between each Hakone grass plant. This will ensure they have enough room to grow to their full potential and create a beautiful display in your garden.
Caring for Hakone Grass
You can grow Hakone grass with little maintenance compared to many other ornamental grasses. It’s also quite resistant to disease problems.
However, you should also learn to care for it to help it grow to its full potential. Follow my tips below to help you grow this beautiful ground cover.
Light
This shade-loving grass thrives in dappled sunlight, mimicking its natural woodland habitat. It can handle full sun in cool summer climates, while warmer regions might require near full shade.
I recommend putting it in partial shade for the most vibrant yellow foliage. If you want greener leaves, you can put the plant in more shade. However, too much sun can scorch the tips, especially in places with hot summers.
Soil and Water
This grass thrives in a consistently moist but well-drained environment, mimicking its forest floor origins. Think rich, fluffy soil with organic matter like compost or peat moss.
If you have dense mounds of soil, I suggest amending that to retain some soil moisture without drowning the plants. While not a desert dweller, established ornamental grasses can handle occasional dry spells.
Generally, an inch of water weekly (divided into 2 to 3 sessions) can be enough Hakone grass. However, you should adjust depending on whether you live in hotter or cooler climates.
Temperature and Humidity
In its native habitat, this grass enjoys cool, damp climates. But fear not, warm weather gardeners! With some TLC, it can thrive in your area, too.
Provide partial shade, consistent watering, and an excellent mulch layer to keep its roots happy.
It’s reliably hardy in zone five and above — and with winter mulching, I promise that gardeners in zone 4 can enjoy its beauty, too!
Fertilizer
If you want to give your plant a boost, opt for a light application of proportional fertilizer in the early spring (or right after new growth appears).
Pruning
Hakone grass requires minimal pruning. Simply remove dead leaves as they turn brown throughout the season.
In warmer climates, feel free to cut back the dead foliage before mulching for winter. But in colder regions, I highly recommend leaving the foliage to act like a cozy winter coat, insulating the crown and protecting it from harsh temperatures.
Potting and Repotting
Japanese forest grass can also thrive in containers with drainage holes as long as they are placed in spots that receive dappled sunlight.
Potted plants dry out faster, especially if they’re in terracotta pots. As such, you might need to check for dry soil and water more often.
Of course, frequent watering washes away nutrients, so I recommend giving your plant a monthly dose of diluted fertilizer.
When winter approaches, bring container dwellers indoors. Alternatively, you can also bury the pots at the ground level up to the rim to protect the roots from the cold.
If you’re wondering how long it takes before you’ll need to transfer the Japanese forest grass to a larger pot, don’t worry — this normally slow-growing plant won’t outpace its pot for some time.
Pests and Diseases
I really love how this plant is rarely bothered by pests or diseases. However, harsh winters might cause the crowns to pop out of the soil.
To prevent this, pile on a thick layer of mulch before winter sets in. If heaving does occur, you can simply replant the clumps at the proper depth when new growth starts in spring.
The slender leaves might get sunburned and turn brown in hot or sunny locations. This usually isn’t a cause for huge concern since you can just keep the plant well-watered and trim off dead leaves to maintain its good looks.
How to Use Hakone Grass to Design Your Garden
Hakone grass thrives in the dappled light of a shade garden. Its cascading foliage offers several design possibilities. I especially love doing the following:
- Create a lush, textural carpet by planting Hakone grass in swathes.
- Put in pots and planters to add movement and interest on patios or balconies.
- Plant a single Hakone grass as a focal point, allowing its form and color to shine.
Cascading Elegance
Take advantage of Hakone grass’s trailing habit by planting it:
- Over a Rock Edge: Let the foliage spill over a short rock wall or ledge, softening the edges and adding a touch of whimsy.
- On a Gentle Slope: Hakone grass beautifully cascades down a slight incline, creating a dynamic effect.
Planting Partners
Consider pairing Hakone grass with other shade-loving companion plants for a harmonious composition.
- Classic Companion Plants: Hostas, ferns, and tricyrtis offer contrasting textures and pops of color.
- Striking Solo: Hakone grass can also be used as a standalone accent plant, adding a touch of elegance to woodland gardens.
Other Guides from Planet Natural:
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Fiber Optic Grass – Full Guide
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Switchgrass – Complete Guide
- How to Grow and Care for Pineapple Plant (Complete Guide) - September 11, 2024
- How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Dogwood Tree Easily - September 10, 2024
- How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Peanut Plants - September 9, 2024
Copyright © 2004-2023