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Also Known As

  • Golden Hakone Grass
  • Golden Japanese Forest Grass
  • Golden Variegated Hakone Grass
  • Japanese Forest Grass

Plant type

perennial, groundcover, grass / grass like

size

  • H: 16"-24"
  • W: 18"-36"

planting zones

  • 6a-11

1 gallon bagged root ball | $15

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30 at Gossler Farms

3" pot | $12

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Fewer than 20 at Secret Garden Growers

1 gallon | $25

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Fewer than 16 at Forestfarm

#1 Container | $16.99

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Fewer than 20 at Conifer Kingdom

BP | $6.99

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Fewer than 20 at Conifer Kingdom

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Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' plant details

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' is a deciduous perennial groundcover grass (or grassy in appearance) with gold, green and variegated foliage. In fall and summer tan flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - occasional water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'

Plant type: perennial groundcover grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: deciduous gold, green and variegated
Mature size: 18 IN - 36 IN - wide, 16 IN - 24 IN - tall
Flowers: tan blooms in fall and summer
Uses: cascading, container plant, exotic, fall color, showy, showy seedheads, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'

USDA Zones: 6a - 11
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Resistant to: deer, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This popular grass is one of our best woodland plants. The dark green leaves have broad yellow stripes going vertically. The overall effect is of a golden arching grass. Great for containers in the spring-fall.
A golden variegated Hakon grass with lime green streaks. It grows in a flowy mound and pairs well with dark colored plants to create a fascinating contrast.
The bright golden-yellow leaf blades on this gracefully arching grass are decorated with slender, emerald-green longitudinal stripes. This grass creates a beautiful low mound 18" high by 24" wide which resembles a small bamboo. In autumn the leaves are brushed with crimson before turning a soft brown for added winter interest. This makes a brilliant groundcover or a wonderful accent or container plant. PSh/M
The BEST grass of all!! Gorgeous, glowing golden striped leaves on mounds 12-18"tall & 2-3' wide. Part shade; rich moist soil; Elegant plant to surround with purple leaf ajuga or blue flowered Platycodon!! Takes a few years to develop it's glory but worth the wait! Clumper…winter dormant; easy care - cut back before new growth starts. A very classy grass!
A vigorously growing, all gold version of the Hakone grass. A cascading habit makes it perfect for the landscape, container or formal Japanese garden. Spreads slowly through rhizomes.
Probably the most colorful grass variety available for non-tropical climates, Golden Japanese Forest Grass forms clumps of glowing foliage striped with green. The clumps are short and are best used planted in front of medium or tall sized plants that have opposite or contrasting colors such as reds, purples, and whites. Also try planting Blue Fescue alternating with Golden Japanese Forest Grass - the two are of similar sizes but offer very different colors that go well together.
The leaves die back in the winter in colder climates.
Zn 5. Arching gold leaves w/ green stripes.
Tough growing--yet delicate looking--deciduous Japanese grass with arching foliage, 2 ft long yellow leaves striped in green, with tinges of pink in the new growth and again in autumn. These form clumps to 16" across. Best in full to part sun in rich, well-drained soil with consistent summer water. Cut back to the ground in late winter before new growth. Frost hardy to -20F, USDA zone 5.
Aureola' is a classic grass for shade and one I wouldn't be without in my garden. The cascading foliage resembles falling water which makes it marvelous beside a pond or tumbling out of shade borders. Try combining with darker foliage like burgundy heucheras for a WOW! effect in your shade garden. Selected by the Perennial Plant Association as Perennial Plant of the Year 2009.
The first Forest Grass that many of us fell in love with and still a garden companion I wouldn't be without. Lush mounds are 16" tall x 24" wide. Great fall color, too. Repeating a planting of this bright and accommodating grass instantly integrates your garden. Sorry, grasses and sedges cannot be shipped to California. Minimum temperature: -20°F
Native to shadowy mountain cliffs in Japan, this cool season dwarf grass is lush and graceful. The cascading, satinlike foliage is broad and variegated with cream, chartreuse and green. Such colors will illuminate any dark corner and such texture will soften any hard edges. As long as it has moist but well drained soil, this slow-spreading plant works well as a specimen or ground cover. We especially like it in Japanese gardens and under the ambient light of Corylopsis spicata.
One of the most striking shade grasses, forming mounds of arching, boldly bright yellow variegated leaves. Best in humus-rich, moist soil.
Japanese forest grass or Golden variegated hakonechloa. A slowly spreading, deciduous grass with delicate, bamboo-like foliage to 1' high and 3' wide. Some at the nursery claim that this is the most ornamental grass we grow. Though the species is solid green, this cultivar possesses brilliant golden foliage streaked with narrow lime-green bands. As if it weren't already dramatic enough, the foliage turns an intense pink-red in fall before dying down for the winter. Plants grow well in almost full sun near the coast, but require at least partial shade inland and need reasonably well-drained soil with regular water. In deep shade the foliage becomes more chartreuse and less golden, but plants will continue to grow and flower. A choice plant, alone or in masses, as a woodland groundcover or in containers. Not a good selection for heavy soils or dry gardens. Hardy to 0F. Japan.
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' Bright gold and green stripped leaves form a full clump. Great for woodland areas or a shady garden. Grows to a height of 12 to 24 inches. A real specimen grass.
You can't go wrong with this classic Japanese Forest Grass. Golden variegated narrow leaves slowly form 18" tall stands that arch forward in waves. Takes dry conditions once established, and is slow to increase at first, but does make an exquisite specimen or stand in a few years.
The 1-2' long blades of 'Aureola' are colored with golden stripes. The gracefully arching leaves are further accented in early fall with a reddish tinge and delicate inflorescences. Slow spreading and noninvasive, it will do best in partially shaded, moist and rich areas.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

I have always been attracted to aureolas and this Aureola is one of the finest. One of the 10 best ornamental grasses and perhaps the best for shade, this deciduous species from Japan forms a beautiful undulating surf of foliage when planted in drifts. It is a great plant.
A truly elegant grass with arching, golden blades that are striped with green. Unlike most other grasses, it's at its best in partial shade, where it forms a compact, flowing mound that provides the perfect contrast in texture and color for hostas and ferns. In cool weather, the gold may be suffused with pink and red tints. AGM winner. GPP award. PPA Perennial Plant of the Year 2009.
Spreading, mounding, perennial.

Gardening facts about Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' plant

How to Grow Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly sun - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - occasional
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • humidity tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • variegated
    • gold
    • green
  • Flower Color

    • tan
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • fall
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Texture

    • grassy
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