Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' – Japanese Forest Grass 'All Gold'

The 'All Gold' Japanese Forest Grass unfolds a true cascade of light in the most subdued areas of the garden. Its foliage, a pure and vibrant golden-yellow, forms graceful, flowing mounds that ripple with the slightest breeze. This slow-growing grass establishes itself as a luminous focal point, bringing texture, colour, and movement without ever becoming invasive.

Characteristics

• Foliage: Entirely golden, slender, and blade-like, it forms a dense clump with a beautifully arching and weeping habit. Its foliage is deciduous; it takes on coppery hues in the fall before drying out for the winter.
• Flowering / Fruiting / Stems: In late summer, delicate and inconspicuous panicles of greenish-yellow flowers appear, but the main attraction remains the foliage.
• Light: Prefers partial shade or full shade. Morning sun exposure will intensify its golden colour, but full afternoon sun may scorch the foliage if the soil is not kept consistently moist.
• Habit: Forms a dense, rounded, and gracefully weeping clump, creating a cascading effect.
• Growth: Slow, making it a perfect choice for small spaces and precise plantings. It reaches its mature size over several years.
• Soil: Requires soil that is rich in organic matter, cool, and well-drained.
• Temperature: Very good hardiness for the Canadian climate.
• Resistances: Highly resistant to diseases and pests. White-tailed deer and rabbits tend to ignore it.

Utilization

• Types of use: Ideal for bordering a shaded path, in the foreground of a flower bed, in a cool rock garden, or as a bright groundcover under trees. Its weeping habit is spectacular in a container.
• Decorative advantages: Creates a striking colour and texture contrast with darker or broader foliage like that of Hostas and Heucheras. Its cascading habit softens the lines of low walls and stairs.

Maintenance

• Watering: Maintain regular watering to keep the soil cool, especially during dry periods and if the plant is in a container or exposed to more sun.
• Fertilization: Apply compost or a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support its growth.
• Pruning: Cut the dry foliage back to the ground in early spring, just before new shoots emerge.
• Planting: Space plants to allow their arching habit to develop fully. Ensure the crown of the plant is not buried too deep.
• Winter Protection: Apply a layer of mulch at the base after the ground freezes to provide extra protection for the roots during its first winter.