Common Name: Japanese forest grass
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Poaceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Description: Pale green and red
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Leaf: Colorful, Good Fall
Tolerate: Deer, Black Walnut, Air Pollution
Culture
Best grown in humusy, consistently moist, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates close to full shade, particularly in the hot summer climates of the deep South. Best growth occurs in climates with cool summer temperatures. Hardy in Zones 5-9. Plant foliage will burn in full sun locations and lose color intensity (particularly on variegated leaf cultivars) in full shade. Clumps spread by rhizomes, but are not considered to be invasive. Mulch in winter. Trim foliage to the ground in late winter to early spring before the new shoots emerge. Tolerant of urban growing conditions including air pollution. Propagation is easiest by division. Species plants (not cultivars thereof) may be grown by seed.
'HABsf1007' shows the brightest foliage coloration if given plenty of morning sun with afternoon shade.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hakonechloa macra, commonly called Japanese forest grass or Hakone grass, is a rhizomatous, shade-loving, deciduous perennial grass that is native both to moist mountain areas including wet rocky cliffs and to moist woodland areas in central Japan, including areas around Mt. Hakone from which both its genus name and common name are derived. Other common names include forest grass and Japanese forest grass. Gracefully arching, linear-lanceolate, bright green leaves (to 10" long and 3/8" wide) form dense, spreading, cascading mounds to 12-18" tall and to 24" wide. Leaves have a papery texture resembling the leaves of some types of bamboo.
Genus name comes from the Japanese place named Hakone and the Greek word chloa meaning a grass.
Specific epithet means large.
'HABsf1007' features golden yellow foliage with streaks of deep burgundy-red. It was discovered as a shoot mutation growing from a clump of Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold'. Mature plants will reach 1-1.5' tall with a 1.5-2' spread and a compact, upright to mounded habit. The foliage will take on chartreuse tones and the burgundy highlights are less intense with lower light levels. Airy, terminal panicles of pale green and red spikelets bloom from mid to late summer but are not considered horticulturally significant. The fall color is variable and can include shades of green, red-purple, and yellow-orange. Commonly sold at nurseries and garden centers under the name SUNFLARE. This plant is protected by patent number PP27734.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Root heaving can be a problem in winter. Leaves may scorch in hot summers, particularly when consistent moisture is not maintained. Deer tend to avoid this plant.
Uses
Excellent spreading ornamental grass for shady locations. Shade groundcover or accent for woodland gardens. Shaded areas of mixed borders. Along paths and walks. Rock gardens. Slopes. Sprawl over rocks. Containers.