Awaken dark zones in your shade garden with this wonderful golden treasure from Japan. Golden hakonegrass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) grows 12-18 inches tall and 18-24 inches wide in a cascading mound form.

 

Very thin green stripes (veins) line the mid-rib of the ½ inch wide golden leaf blades. Tiny, relatively ininsignificant, floral spikes (inflorescences) appear for a short time in late summer. The grass blades take on a pink to reddish tinge in the cool fall air before all vegetation withers away for a long winter’s nap.

 

Golden hakone prospers in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Contrarily, it grows poorly in compact heavy clay soils. Hakone prefers a partially shaded garden spot. Feed with a water soluble fertilizer (Miracle -Gro®, Schultz®, or Hollytone®) at package directions every 4-6 weeks from early spring thru mid-summer.

 

In its first year golden hakone starts off very slowly, and spreads from underground stolons. Soil moisture is in maximum need the first two years to successfully establish hakone grass. This extra attention will be worth your patience. Hakone grass will rarely trespass on spaces occupied by neighboring hosta, astilbe, heuchera, and others in the shade garden.

 

Golden hakone is rarely bothered by disease or insect pests and is not troubled by deer. ‘Aureola’ hakone grass was selected the Perennial Plant of the Year in 2009.