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Forest Grass Hakonechloa macra

Previously known as:

  • Phragmites macer
  • Phragmites oyyamensis
Phonetic Spelling
hah-koh-no-KLO-uh MAK-ruh
Description

Japanese Forest Grass is an ornamental, shade-loving, deciduous perennial grass. Its habit is dense, arching, spreading, cascading mounds of grass that serve as a ground cover. It has arching, linear to lanceolate, bright green leaves that are about 10 inches long and 3/8 inches wide. The leaves have a blush of red to pink in the fall. During the winter the plant dies back to the ground. Flowering occurs in mid to late summer in the form of airy sprays of greenish-yellow flowers that are often hidden by the foliage. 

This grass is native to Japan, and it is found in the moist mountains of central Japan along wet rocky cliffs and moist woodlands. 

The genus name Hakonechloa is derived from the name of the mountain, Mt. Hakone, which is found in Japan. The word chloa is Greek and means grass. The specific epithet, macra, is derived from Greek and means large.

Hakone grass requires rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates part to full shade, particularly in hot summers, and gives the best color intensity, especially in the variegated forms, when shielded from full sun. The leaves may scorch in the heat if moisture is inconsistent. This grass will not grow in poorly drained soil, heavy clay, or very dry soils. It grows best in cool summer climates, and it may not tolerate the hot summers of the southern United States, such as zones 8 through 9. It is tolerant of urban pollution, deer resistant, and black walnut tolerant. It is best propagated by division in the spring. It is slow-growing, and it may take years until the division of the plant is required. The foliage should be cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring. 

Japanese Forest Grass has soft rich green foliage, but many variegated cultivars are available with white, green, or gold striping. This ornamental grass resembles bamboo and spreads by rhizomes and stolons but it is not considered to be invasive.

This ornamental, perennial ground cover may be used as an accent in a shady woodland garden or serve as a border along a shaded path or walkway. It is an excellent plant for all shaded locations and is attractive when planted on slopes or sprawled over rocks. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom: Summer    Foliage: Spring, Summer, and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

  • ornamental, shade-loving, perennial grass
  • arching, dense, spreading, and cascading mounds of grass
  • bright green, linear to lanceolate leaves meaning 10 inches long and 3/8 inches wide 
  • yellowish-green wispy flowers bloom in mid to late summer and are often hidden by the foliage

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The Japanese Forest Grass is generally insect and disease free.  In hot climates, the leaves may scorch if there is inadequate moisture. Root heaving can occur during winter frosts. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the crowns of the plant before winter to prevent this problem. 

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Small Water Features
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Alboaurea', 'Albostriata' or Albovariegata', 'All Gold', 'Aureola', 'Benikaze', 'Fubuki', 'Naomi', 'Nicolas', 'Samurai', 'Stripe It Rich'
Tags:
#cultivars#gold#arching#deciduous#slow growing#shade garden#low maintenance#ornamental grass#mounding#well-drained soil#spreading#rich soils#cascading#deer resistant#rhizomes#variegated#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#walkway planting#urban conditions tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#heat intolerant#heavy shade tolerant#cool summers#shade perennial#landscape plant sleuths course#shade tolerant#buncombe county sun and shade garden#perennial grass#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Alboaurea', 'Albostriata' or Albovariegata', 'All Gold', 'Aureola', 'Benikaze', 'Fubuki', 'Naomi', 'Nicolas', 'Samurai', 'Stripe It Rich'
Tags:
#cultivars#gold#arching#deciduous#slow growing#shade garden#low maintenance#ornamental grass#mounding#well-drained soil#spreading#rich soils#cascading#deer resistant#rhizomes#variegated#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#walkway planting#urban conditions tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#heat intolerant#heavy shade tolerant#cool summers#shade perennial#landscape plant sleuths course#shade tolerant#buncombe county sun and shade garden#perennial grass#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hakonechloa
    Species:
    macra
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan
    Distribution:
    Native: Japan. Introduced: Brazil Southeast and the United States
    Play Value:
    Defines Paths
    Easy to Grow
    Shade
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer resistant. Generally insect and disease free.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Cascading
    Dense
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Panicle
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are greenish-yellow wispy panicles that are often hidden by the foliage. They bloom from July to August. Blooms in July and August.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Papery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are bright green, slender, linear to lanceolate, and measure 10 inches long and 3/8 inches wide. They have a papery texture. In the fall, the leaves have a reddish-to-pinkish blush.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stems are wiry.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Riparian
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Pollution