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Lavender companion · grow guide
Japanese Forest Grass · Hakonechloa macra
Plant in part shade in rich, moist, well-drained soil. It grows slowly into a soft, cascading mound, and its gold leaves burn in hot sun.
Check my zone & planting dates
Part shadeLight
Steady waterMoist drainage
pH 5.5–7.0Soil
Zones 5a–9bHardiness
24″ tall36″ wide
ResistantDeer · rabbits some resistance
Not known toxicPets
Huckleberry saysTell me where you grow and I’ll check if Aureola will thrive there.
Hardy in zones 5a–9b
Spring is best.
Your year with Aureola
When it arrives
Plugs arrive in active growth. Water the tray right away and keep it in bright shade, never hot sun. Plant within a few days or move into 3–4" pots. Set each plug so its top is level with the soil, and keep it evenly moist for the first month.
Spring is best.
Set the crown at soil level.
12–18" apart; mature clumps are about 15" tall and up to 24" wide.
Humus-rich loam · pH 5.5–7.0
Fix-it tip: Add compost and keep a 2" mulch to hold moisture. Avoid heavy wet clay and dry sand.
Part shade (tolerates near full shade; morning sun in cool regions).
Leaves burn in full afternoon sun; golden types lose color in deep shade.
Don’t give up on it
Wakes up later than many perennials; new shoots show in mid- to late spring. Slow to bulk up; give it a couple of years.
Cut back old leaves before new shoots appear.
Water in heat; watch for scorch.
Foliage takes on warm tones.
Mulch to prevent heaving.
First season: Keep evenly moist all first season.
After that: Medium water; never let it dry out in summer heat.
Light spring compost topdressing.
Cut foliage to the ground in late winter or early spring before new shoots appear.
Rarely needed; divide in spring if you want more plants.
Hardy to zone 5. Mulch to prevent winter heaving, especially the first year.
Leaves scorch when soil dries in hot weather; keep it shaded and watered.
Brown leaf tipsLikely cause: Too much sun or dry soil
What to do: Water; add mulch; more shade
Gold turns lime-greenLikely cause: Too much shade
What to do: Give some morning sun
Plant pushed out of soilLikely cause: Frost heaving
What to do: Press back down; mulch in fall
Brown, crispy leaf tips mean dry soil or too much sun; root rot in waterlogged spots.
Not listed by ASPCA; no known toxicity reported. Discourage pets from chewing any garden plant.
Deer: resistant · Rabbits: somewhat resistant
Finnegan saysStill not sure what’s wrong? Ask Plant Health — describe it or add a photo.
Good in pots · 2 gallon+
Beautiful in shaded pots. Protect pots from hard freezes.
Outdoor plant
Needs winter dormancy; not a houseplant.
Best after a cold winter
Grows best with a normal winter rest.
Plugs from the tray
3–4 inch pots for 3–5 weeks, until roots hold the soil
Garden bed or a 2 gallon potTime to move up? Slide the plant out: if white roots wrap the outside of the soil, it’s ready for the next size.
Planting with lavender
Give it its own spot
Wants shade and moisture, so keep it out of the lavender bed. Use it along a shaded path or under trees.
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Grower-sourced information. Results reflect real gardens and farms and vary with climate, soil, plant age and care.
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