Golden Variegated Japanese Forest Grass ‘Aureola’
Bring soft texture to your shade garden with this low-maintenance perennial.
Golden variegated Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) is a compact, ornamental perennial grass with striking foliage.
Its soft, arching golden-yellow leaf blades are striped with green, creating a graceful cascade of texture and color that brings drama to the shade garden.
Japanese forest grass also goes by the name Hakone grass, and the ‘Aureola’ variety grows 12–18 inches tall in part to full shade.
Its foliage shifts from golden to chartreuse in deeper shade, and even develops streaks of pink in autumn.
Read on to discover how to grow and care for golden variegated Japanese forest grass, plus get some great planting companion ideas!
Golden Variegated Japanese Forest Grass
How to Grow Japanese Forest Grass
Location: Plant Japanese forest grass in zones 5-9, in a location with part to full shade and rich, fertile, well-draining soil. It will not tolerate poor drainage, dry soil, or clay soil. Look up your USDA plant hardiness zone here.
Planting: The best time of year to plant this grass is in the spring or fall, giving the roots time to establish before the onset of extreme hot or cold weather. Water deeply after planting (for more information on watering, read “How to Water your Plants”.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist during the first growing season to help the grass become established. Japanese forest grass likes consistent moisture and will need supplemental watering, especially during the heat of summer and times of drought. Are you in a drought? Check the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Division: Divide plants in early spring, just as they emerge. Japanese forest grass is slow growing and needs division approximately every 3-5 years.
Cutting Back: The blades of Japanese forest grass dry up and turn brown in late autumn and will provide winter interest in the garden. In early spring, trim the dead foliage back to the ground with sharp pruning shears.
Is Japanese Forest Grass Invasive?
No, Japanese forest grass is not considered invasive. It spreads slowly by rhizomes, forming tidy clumps and expanding gradually rather than aggressively.
Unlike some other grasses that can overtake a garden (I’m looking at you, Northern sea oats!), Japanese forest grass stays well-behaved, making it a great choice for your shady borders, woodland gardens, and container plantings.
Is Japanese Forest Grass Deer-Resistant?
All Japanese forest grass varieties, including ‘Aureola’, are considered to be deer-resistant plants. Deer tend to avoid this grass, most likely due to an unappetizing taste or texture (I will get more details next time I talk to a deer 😉).
Rutgers University rates Hakonechloa macra as “rarely damaged” on their list of Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance. But, sadly, no plant is 100% deer proof.
When food is limited, deer become less picky and will eat almost anything, including plants they usually avoid.
Japanese Forest Grass Planting Companions
Japanese painted fern and golden variegated Japanese forest grass create an alluring vignette when planted together in a shady corner.
Astilbes (Astilbe species): Astilbes, known for their colorful, plume-like flowers, make an excellent choice to plant alongside Japanese forest grass. Their elegant, upright blooms and dark green leaves provide a lovely color contrast to the grass's golden variegation, creating a dynamic visual impact. Both plants enjoy consistently moist, well-drained soil, making them compatible in terms of care requirements. Learn more about astilbes here.
Coral Bells (Heuchera species): These perennials come in a wide array of leaf colors, from deep burgundy to lime green, silver and even black. The contrasting foliage and low, mounding growth habit complement the arching, cascading nature of Japanese forest grass. Both plants share preferences for partial shade and well-drained soil.
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia): Foamflower’s airy white blooms and mounding habit contrast beautifully with the arching golden-green blades of Japanese forest grass ‘Aureola’, and both love shade, moisture, and fertile well-draining soil.
Foamy Bells (Heucherella species): A cross between Heuchera and Tiarella, foamy bells has vibrant foliage that provides a striking contrast to ‘Aureola’s golden-green blades.
Barrenwort (Epimedium species): Barrenwort has elegant, heart-shaped leaves and dainty spring blooms. The texture and leaf shape contrasts nicely with the fine, arching leaves of golden variegated Japanese forest grass.
Hosta (Plantain Lily): Hostas are a popular choice to pair with Japanese forest grass. Blue or dark green hostas create a striking color contrast, and their bold foliage shape highlights the graceful habit of the grass. Both plants thrive in similar partial to full shade conditions, making them well-matched companions.
Lenten Rose (Helleborus species): The delicate, arching form of Japanese forest grass combined with the bold leaf shape of Lenten rose adds depth and dimension to the garden landscape, a well-matched pairing for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance shade garden.
Japanese Painted Fern (Anisocampium niponicum 'Pictum'): The bold green, silver and burgundy hues of Japanese painted fern contrast nicely with the bright variegations of ‘Aureola’. Both thrive in partial to full shade.
Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia): Oakleaf hydrangea makes a stunning companion for Japanese forest grass, offering a striking contrast in leaf shape, texture, and color. Its large lobed leaves stand out against the fine, arching blades of the grass, and with sizes ranging from compact to large, there’s an option to suit any space. Read more about oakleaf hydrangeas here.
Landscape Design Ideas for Japanese Forest Grass
Woodland gardens: Given its preference for shade, golden variegated Japanese forest grass is an excellent addition to any woodland garden. Plant in the dappled sunlight underneath trees and shrubs to create a lush, carpet-like effect.
Mixed borders: Combine ‘Aureola’ with other shade-loving perennials and shrubs to create visually appealing mixed borders. Its fine texture and color contrast beautifully with hostas, ferns, and heucheras, adding texture and depth to any planting scheme.
Containers: Golden variegated Japanese forest grass does well in containers, making it an elegant and stylish choice for any shady patio or balcony. Learn more about designing containers for shade here.
Rock gardens: Pairing the soft texture of Japanese forest grass with the rugged terrain of a rock garden creates a captivating contrast. Plant it between rocks and boulders to soften the landscape's overall appearance.
Water features: Surround water features, such as ponds or streams, with Japanese forest grass, where the cascading leaves create a waterfall-like effect and add picturesque movement to the landscape.
Along shaded paths and walkways: Planting Japanese forest grass alongside shady paths and walkways can guide visitors through the garden while adding movement and drama.
Focal Point: To draw attention to a focal point in the shade garden, surround it with a mass planting of Japanese forest grass. A focal point is any object or plant you would like to highlight and draw the eye towards, such as a sculpture, bench, fountain, or Japanese Maple specimen.
The soft variegated leaf blades of Japanese Forest Grass contrast nicely with the dark green leaves of Lenten Rose.