Hakonechloa macra All Gold - Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' is a particularly bright variety of Japanese grass, which displays completely golden foliage from spring to autumn. Perennial and relatively hardy, this grass slowly forms beautiful cushions and magnificent golden borders in cool and shady areas of the garden. It gives its best in mild and humid climates when planted in semi-shade or full shade in non-calcareous and humus-rich soils.

Hakonechloa macra is a rhizomatous and stoloniferous grass belonging to the Poaceae family, native to the mountains of Japan. In nature, it grows on rocky and moist cliffs as well as in the undergrowth of the Hakone region. This volcanic range is the origin of its generic name Hakonechloa and its vernacular name 'Hakone grass'.

The 'All Gold' variety is distinguished by the uniform yellow to blonde colouring of its foliage. However, this colour may turn green when the plant is too shaded. The plant forms a rounded fountain-shaped tuft, 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) tall and 40 cm (16in) wide. It spreads slowly and becomes lush over time. Much like bamboo, it is composed of leafy culms, which are initially erect and then trailing, evoking superimposed cascades and giving the plant a distinctive appearance. Its growth is rather slow, and the foliage is deciduous, drying up in winter. The lanceolate leaves of this grass range from pale-yellow to golden-yellow or dark green depending on sun exposure. In bright conditions (morning sun only), the yellow will be more intense. However, excessive sunlight can cause leaf burn. The flowers appear late in summer or autumn. Arranged in thin spikelets, they do not offer much interest but can be preserved for the winter. It is hardy to -15°C (5°F). 

Magnificent in borders, Hakonechloa has been very popular in recent years. This 'All Gold' variety is easy to cultivate in pots and will find a special place in a semi-shaded spot on a patio, alongside hostas, ferns, bergenia, or heuchera, which are equally easy and tolerate the same growing conditions. This grass thrives in semi-shade and in cool soil. It shines when used as a large ground cover in shaded parts of the garden, in clear undergrowth, against an east-facing wall, or to border a mass of shrubs in humus-rich and cool soil, adding roundness and colour. It is perfect for exotic or Japanese gardens. This grass will make a statement in steep and shady areas of the garden.