Perennial of the Month-- January 2008

(hack-o-neh-CLO-ah  ma-CRA) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)

Common name: Golden Japanese forest grass, Golden Variegated Hakone grass

Family: Poaceae, grass

Height x width: 1 to 1.5ft high and wide

Growth rate, habit: moderate (slower than species), arching or cascading

Foliage: 4-6in. long, thin 1/2in. wide, golden bright yellow with thin stripes of green lengthwise; turns pinkish-red in fall and bronze in winter; in cool climates leaves may be more creamy, in dense shade more lime green

Flowers: not significant, late summer

Hardiness: USDA zones (5)6-9, heat zones 9-5, Sunset zones 2b-9

Soil: moist, well-drained

Light: part shade

Pests and problems: leaves may burn if dry or full hot sun (especially south)

Landscape habit, uses: massed, fronts of borders, groundcover, woodland gardens, hillsides, rock gardens, conatiners, wall gardens, edges of dry steam beds or water gardens; powerful color so use sparingly unless a bold statement desired; resembles a small bamboo; combines well with purple-leaved heuchera or bugbane, golden or blue-leaved hostas; 

Other interest: native to shaded mountain cliffs of Japan; perhaps most common cultivar of this species; 'Alboaurea' is similar but less bold, 'Albovariegata' has white variegation, 'All Gold' is more upright and brighter; scientific names come from Hakon, a region of Japan, chloa the Greek word for grass, and macra meaning large; deer resistant; winner of an Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticulture Society (UK)

Other culture: low maintenance, slow growing (not invasive) so division (spring) seldom needed; cut stems to ground in late winter or early spring

Propagation: division

Sources:  many local and online perennial nurseries