Golden Hakone Grass - Hakonechloa Macra

by Yvonne Cunnington

This is the second ornamental grass to be chosen as a Perennial Plant of the Year. Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster', feather reed grass, was the winner in 2001.

In my garden, I like to grow this grass with gold-variegated 'Golden Tiara' hosta and purple-leaved oxalis, a non-hardy summer bulb plant.

Photo courtesy of Elsa Spezio

Tips for Success with Hakonechloa Grass

Hardiness, size and growth habit:

Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, Golden Hakone Grass grows 12 to 18 inches tall and about 18 to 24 inches wide. Its leaves, colored bright yellow with thin green stripes, cascade attractively in one direction, and in the fall their edges turn pink and red.

Although Hakonechloa macra spreads by stolons, it grows slowly, behaving itself; growth is really more like a clump-forming grass, so you don't have to worry about it taking over.

This slow growth also means that you don't need to divide this grass for many years. However, if you wish to divide to obtain more plants, as with other ornamental grasses, the best time to do this job is in early spring just as new growth starts.

Preferred growing conditions:

This ornamental grass thrives in partial shade, especially in hot climates, but it can tolerate a sunnier planting site in cooler regions. Morning sun is better than hot afternoon sun. Plant it in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Avoid heavy clay and poor drainage, and really dry sandy soils.

Maintenance:

Like most grasses, Hakonechloa Grass, is not prone to diseases or problems with insects. Even deer tend to leave it alone. And it's easy-care: the only maintenance required is to cut back the previous season's dead leaves in fall, or you can do this in late winter or early in the spring.

Garden uses:

Hakonechloa macra makes a great companion for hostas, especially hostas with gold variegation, or blue-tinged foliage. It also looks wonderful with purple-leaved perennials, such Heuchera cultivars.

Because of how the leaves fall in one direction, a classic way to use Hakonechloa Grass is as an edging plant along a garden path.

Yvonne Cunnington is an expert gardener, garden writer and photographer. She contributes regularly to gardening magazines and is the author of Clueless in the Garden: A Guide for the Horticulturally Helpless. For more more information about Golden Hakone Grass, see http://www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com/golden-hakone-grass.html -- Keep up with what's new at her Flower Gardening site here: http://www.flower-gardening-made-easy.com/Flower-gardening-blog.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Wandering Jew Plant

Geranium Care

Bleeding Heart

Tomato Growing

Lawn Care Tips

Growing Daffodils