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Key characteristics

Family: Poaceae
Height: 12 to 18 inches
Width: 18 to 24 inches
Flower color: Insignificant, typically beige to purplish
Foliage color: Bright golden-yellow with thin green stripes
Bloom time: Mid to late summer
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods
Maintenance: Low
Growing zone: USDA zones 5 to 9
Wildlife: Not a major attractor for wildlife

Perennials

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’

Hakone Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' is a stunning ornamental grass celebrated for its vibrant golden-yellow foliage with thin green stripes and graceful, cascading form. This deciduous grass emerges in spring with fresh color that deepens throughout the season, transforming into shades of orange, gold, and red in the fall before going dormant for winter. 'Aureola' forms a dense mound that works beautifully as ground cover or in containers, adding movement to shaded areas.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Waterwise Gardens
Containers

Companion plants

Bleeding hearts · Solomon's seal · Ferns · Lungworts · Wild ginger · Hellebores

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.