Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Aureola Japanese Forest Grass: The Classic Golden Waterfall
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Aureola Japanese forest grass is the classic golden Hakonechloa. Its soft, bamboo-like blades are mostly golden yellow with fine green stripes, and its most charming habit is that they all arch and lean the same way. A drift of it looks like a small golden waterfall frozen mid-pour. In fall, the gold picks up pink and red tints. It has an RHS Award of Garden Merit and was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2009.
Aureola at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' |
| Foliage | Golden yellow with thin green stripes; pink-red tints in fall |
| Flowers | Tiny, barely noticeable sprays in late summer |
| Size | 12 to 24 inches tall, 24 to 36 inches wide |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5 to 9 |
| Light | Part sun to part shade, full shade |
| Spread | Slowly |
| Deer | Resistant |
Motion for the shade garden
Lavender beds are all about upright spikes and tidy mounds. Aureola brings something different to the shady parts of the same property: movement. Because every blade sweeps in one direction, a line of it along a path or a wall edge seems to flow, and it shifts in the breeze. Plant it so the blades lean toward the path or spill over a stone edge for the best effect.
It needs shade and even moisture, so it will not share the sunny lavender bed. Use it to soften a woodland walk, drape over rocks, edge a shady patio or fill containers by a north-facing door. It looks great with blue hostas, dark coral bells and ferns. Plan the shady beds in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Light: part shade gives the brightest gold. In deep shade, the yellow turns lime green; in hot afternoon sun, the tips scorch.
- Soil: rich, moist and well drained. Soggy soil causes crown and root rot.
- Spring: cut back last year's dead foliage before new growth begins.
- Winter: it is deciduous and turns tan. Leave it standing for protection until spring.
- Zone 5: mulch new plantings their first winter and make sure the site drains well.
It is slow to spread, so plant generously if you want a full drift sooner. Check your zone with the USDA Zone Finder.
The plug tray
Aureola comes as a 72-cell plug tray, a practical way to plant a long shady edge, a mass planting or a set of containers. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
How is Aureola different from All Gold?
Aureola has gold blades with fine green stripes and a strong one-way sweep. All Gold is solid gold and more upright.
Does it need dividing?
Rarely. It spreads slowly and can stay in place for years.
Can it grow in a container?
Yes. It is a lovely container grass for shade, spilling over the rim. Keep the mix evenly moist.
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