Bring brilliant shades of yellow and beautiful form to your shade gardens with Lemon Zest Japanese Forest Grass, Hakonechloa. Like a soothing, cascading waterfall, its leaf blades of radiant hues of chartreuse, yellow and ivory arch out to create exquisite mounds. It tends to be more colorful in heavier shade, less so in more sun. Fabulous with big leaf blue Hostas, spilling over walls and boulders, in containers, or as a ground cover.

Though this grass does spread by rhizomes, it is not invasive and will not rapidly overtake its neighbors. Hakonechloa is grown mainly for its beautiful foliage, though it does produce flowers. Tiny, inconspicuous flower spikelets appear in airy clusters in late summer thru early fall.

Hakonechloa prefers shaded, woodland environments where the soil is rich and loamy. This grass will not grow in poorly drained soil, heavy clay, or very dry soils. Part to full shade is best; full sun will scorch the leaves.

Plant in soil that has been amended with organic matter in partial shade to dark shade. In early spring cut back last year’s foliage to allow room for the new growth. Although it never needs to be divided, you may create new plants by dividing in either spring or fall.