Hakonechloa macra (Japanese Forest Grass, Golden Variegated Hakone Grass)

Love this whole Genus of plants, I have two different species and a couple of different varieties in my back yard.

I find them easy to grow - in general, they like moist, humusy, well-drained soils in part shade, but at least one variety prefers to grow in full shade. About the only real maintenance I do occurs in very late winter (March), where I cut back the dead leaves to just an inch or two from the clump.

I would not call Hakonechloa a grass, but rather they are more like small well defined shaped bamboo ... a lot less aggressive, but yes they do slowly spread via rhizomes. After a couple of years, you can also cut the clump in half and transplant to a new area.

They do not have "flowers" in the traditional sense (colorful, well displayed), but rather the flowers are very small, can be yellow to light green in color and are found within/between the leaves.

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I love this plant. I grow two of the variegated ones in shady areas. They brighten up the shade and provide foliage contrast as well. Because the leaves bend over and sway a bit, they appear to add motion to the garden. A great plant all around.

I see Baldlars, above said Hakone grass was easy to grow. I have not found this to be true. If you find the right spot for them, they do well. I can't tell you the number of Hakone grasses that have died in my yard. Friends of mine have had the same experience. So...my vote is that they are difficult to grow, but SO worth it.

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