All Gold Japanese Forest Grass
Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold'Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ is a striking cultivar of Japanese Forest Grass, admired for its brilliant chartreuse to golden-yellow foliage that glows in partial shade and adds elegant texture to garden beds. With its arching, bamboo-like leaves and soft mounding habit, it brings movement, contrast, and brightness to shaded borders, woodland gardens, and containers.
Unlike its green parent species, All Gold Japanese Forest Grass offers consistently vibrant coloring and a more compact form, growing about 12–18 inches tall and slowly spreading into tidy clumps via rhizomes. In cooler climates, foliage may take on hints of pink or red in autumn before dying back for the winter. Tiny, airy flower spikes appear in late summer, but this plant is primarily grown for its foliage appeal.
This low-maintenance grass is deer-resistant, tolerant of humidity and shade, and thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil. It makes an excellent groundcover under trees or in combination with ferns, hostas, and heucheras, providing a graceful, color-rich element in any design.
Planting:
Plant in spring or fall in a location with dappled or filtered shade. Space 12–18 inches apart for massing or edging.
Watering:
Keep soil consistently moist, especially during the first season. Avoid dry or compacted locations.
Pruning:
Cut back old foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
Pest & Disease Control:
Generally pest- and disease-free.
Soil Tips:
Enrich the soil with compost before planting—mulch to retain moisture and protect shallow roots.
