How to Grow Golden Variegated Hakone Grass
Hakonechloa macra "Aureola" is also known as golden variegated hakone grass. This beautiful ornamental grass is native to wet, rocky cliffs in the mountains of Japan. Its cascading mounds of bamboolike foliage is so heavily variegated with yellow that very little green is left. The grass, perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 4 through 8, really brightens up shady spots in the garden and is also an attractive container plant.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Prepare a suitable site for planting your golden variegated hakone grass. A partially shaded spot with slightly moist soil is best. It can even tolerate deep shade, but this results in a plant that may be a little leggy.
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2
Dig a hole with a trowel about twice the size of the golden variegated hakone grass root ball. Amend the soil with organic compost and mix in a slow-release fertilizer. Firm the soil around the roots, but do not bury too deep. You want the soil line on the root ball to be even with the ground level.
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3
Water the plant in in thoroughly. Water it every day there after for a week, decreasing to every other day for another week. Following the second week, water only when the top inch of soil is dry.
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4
Cut back foliage to 2 inches above the soil with garden shears, when the plant turns brown in the winter. Golden variegated hakone grass is a perennial and its 18 to 24-inch foliage is brown during its winter dormant period. all of the foliage turns brown in the winter. It regrows from its roots in the spring.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Golden variegated hakone grass is a cool-weather grower. If grown in warm, dry climates plant where it receives afternoon shade.
Do not over water Golden Variegated Hakone Grass likes moist but not soggy soil.
