Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
All Gold Japanese Forest Grass: A Glowing Cascade for Shady Paths
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All Gold Japanese forest grass is a solid bright gold Hakonechloa with soft, bamboo-like blades that arch from thin, wiry stems. It is brighter, sturdier and more upright than the classic striped form, and it forms a low cascade 9 to 14 inches tall that seems to glow in shade.
It is a shade plant, so it does not share lavender's bed. It belongs on the shady paths and woodland edges of the same property.
All Gold at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' |
| Foliage | Solid bright gold, more chartreuse in deep shade |
| Flowers | Tiny, airy reddish-brown sprays in late summer |
| Size | 9 to 14 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5 to 9 |
| Light | Part sun to part shade, full shade |
| Spread | Slowly, by rhizomes |
| Deer | Resistant |
Gold in the shade, purple in the sun
A lavender garden is mostly silver and purple under full sun. The shady parts of the same yard can easily go dark and green on green. All Gold fixes that. A line of it along a shaded walk or the front of a woodland bed gives you a warm, bright band of color that carries the eye from the house to the trees.
It looks best where it can spill: over rocks, down a slope, along the edge of a wall or out of a container. It spreads slowly, so it will not crowd its neighbors. Pair it with hostas, ferns and dark coral bells, and map the shady beds in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Light: morning sun with afternoon shade gives the brightest gold. Hot afternoon sun scorches the tips.
- Soil: rich, evenly moist and well drained. Soggy soil causes crown and root rot.
- Water: keep it steady, especially in the first season.
- Spring: cut last year's tan foliage back before new growth starts.
- Winter: it is deciduous and turns tan. Leave it standing for protection until spring.
In zone 5, mulch new plantings for their first winter and make sure the site drains well. Not sure of your zone? Check the USDA Zone Finder.
The plug tray
All Gold is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, a practical way to plant a long shady edge or a slope, or to pot up your own containers. Because it spreads slowly, starting with plenty of plugs gets you a full look sooner. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
How is All Gold different from Aureola?
Aureola has green-and-gold striped blades. All Gold is solid gold, more upright and more vigorous.
Can it grow with lavender in full sun?
No. Full sun scorches it and lavender's dry soil does not suit it. Give it shade and moisture elsewhere.
Is it invasive?
No. It spreads slowly by rhizomes into a wider clump without running into neighbors.
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