Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a grass plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra).
This plant is commonly known as Japanese forest grass.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Japanese forest grass
Scientific name: Hakonechloa macra
Plant type: Grasses
Habit: Tufted
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full shade, Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Hedging & Screens, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) – KATHERINE WAGNER-REISS, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Hakonechloa macra likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) grows well in full sun, although it can also be grown in shady places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) – Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
