Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Hakonechloa macra (Japanese forest grass)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Hakonechloa macra
Other names
Japanese forest grass, Hakone grass
Genus
Hakonechloa Hakonechloa
Species
H. macra - H. macra is a slowly-spreading, mound-forming, deciduous grass with arching, linear, mid- to bright green leaves, often turning orange-red in autumn, and nodding panicles of insignificant, pale green flower spikelets in late summer.
Hakonechloa macra is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Arching, Cushion or Mound Forming
Flower
Pale-green, Insignificant or absent in Summer; Pale-green, Insignificant or absent in Autumn
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Orange-red, Green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Cut back in late winter or early spring.
Propagation methods
Division
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Hakonechloa macra (Japanese forest grass) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Containers, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in most moist, humus-rich, well-drained fertile soils in sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Hakonechloa macra
Other names
Japanese forest grass, Hakone grass
Genus
Hakonechloa Hakonechloa
Species
H. macra - H. macra is a slowly-spreading, mound-forming, deciduous grass with arching, linear, mid- to bright green leaves, often turning orange-red in autumn, and nodding panicles of insignificant, pale green flower spikelets in late summer.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Arching, Cushion or Mound Forming
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Pale-green, Insignificant or absent in Summer; Pale-green, Insignificant or absent in Autumn
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Orange-red, Green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Cut back in late winter or early spring.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Hakonechloa macra (Japanese forest grass) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Containers, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in most moist, humus-rich, well-drained fertile soils in sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Created by garden designer Charlie Hartigan of Envisage Gardens, 1 in 10 garden at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show 2019 was designed as part of the RHS Young Designer of the Year competition. read more
Designed by garden designer Helen Elks-Smith MSGD. Traditional with a contemporary twist, this garden located on the outskirts of London is designed for relaxed family living and informal… read more
M&G Investments, the title sponsor of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, commissioned designer Andy Sturgeon (Best in Show winner 2010 and 2016) to create this incredible garden. read more
By Kate Gould Gardens. A lush green split level garden provides a peaceful, interactive and uplifting space where life-limited children with complex needs, their families, friends and carers can come… read more
B&Q returns to the RHS Flower Show calendar, having teamed up with award-winning garden designer Matthew Childs to create a show garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower show named the… read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login