Species Japanese forest grass
lime-yellow, narrow, spear-like leaves with green strips

Japanese forest grass

Hakonechloa macra 'Stripe It Rich'

Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Stripe It Rich') is an amazing species for any garden. Its lush, clumping foliage adds color and texture to landscape, with green and yellow variegations. Its upright growth habit is both lovely and easy to maintain, while staying under 24 inches, making it ideal for small spaces. Its graceful, arching leaves look stunning in rock gardens or near water features, and it can also be mass planted for an extra-dramatic effect. It can thrive in full sun or partial shade, and even prefers drier soils. Its beauty, ease of management, and versatility make Japanese forest grass a must-have species in any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Yellow-green Flowers

Sun:

Part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,white

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Water every few days, making sure the soil is consistently moist (but not soggy). It should only need to be watered when the top 2 inches of the soil are dry. Aim to water it thoroughly until the water flows from the bottom of the pot. Japanese forest grass does not need to be watered more than once a week. Avoid overwatering, since this can lead to root rot and other issues.

sunlight

Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Stripe It Rich') prefers to grow in rich, moist soil in a partially shaded spot where it receives morning sunlight and shade in the afternoon. To achieve optimal growth, the plant should receive at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day, preferably in the morning, but can tolerate more if the afternoon hours are shaded. While light shade to dappled shade is preferred for Japanese forest grass, too much shade can lead to leggy, floppy growth. In hot climates, a bit of afternoon shade can also help the grass thrive.

pruning

For Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Stripe It Rich'), pruning should be done twice a year. Prune lightly in the spring and then again in the late summer or early fall. To spring prune, use sharp pruners and trim every blade back by about 1/3 leaving tufts of 4 to 6 blades at the base of the clump. This will help encourage a fuller fuller and denser growth. To late summer or early fall prune, cut any dead or damaged blades, and then lightly trim all the blades so that the clump is no more than 1/2 its original size. This will get rid of old, declining foliage and promote a more upright growth habit.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Japanese forest grass typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Japanese forest grass typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map