Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)
Perennial
- Arching green leaves form a cascading mound.
- Deer resistant, container-friendly, & easy to grow.
- Spreads slowly in the shade.
- Zones 5-9, part sun/shade, 24-30” x 30-36" wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Common name: Hakone grass, Japanese forest grass
Zone: 5-9
Sun exposure: Shade (< 4 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 24-30” x 30-36”
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Spring through fall
Bloom time: Late summer, early fall
Features: Deer resistant, wet soils, space savers, rain gardens, container plants
Uses: Accent, border, container, ground cover, massing, small spaces, underplanting, waterside, woodland, naturalizing
How to Grow
Light: Shade (< 4 hours sun) to part-sun (4-6 hours sun). Full hot sun may scorch the foliage.
Water: Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.
Spacing: 18 - 24 inches
Fertilizing: Hakonechloa doesn't need supplemental fertilizing in good soils, but if you do fertilize, wait until after the first blush of growth in spring.
Winterizing: In zones 5 and 6, apply a layer of extra mulch for protection.
Maintenance & pruning: Trim back the old foliage in late fall or early spring before new growth emerges. Divide every 2 to 3 years in the spring. Older plants can be dug up and cut in half for quick propagation.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.