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A mature Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) growing in a residential garden bedFoliage

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Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa macra

Japanese Forest Grass is a slow-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 5-9, that matures to about 1-1.5 ft × 1-2 ft. It does best in part shade with medium water needs in well-drained and moist soil. Expect yellow and green blooms in summer. It stands up well to black walnut, deer and pollution, grows happily in containers.

USDA zones
5-9
Sun
Part shade
Water
Medium
Mature size
1-1.5 ft × 1-2 ft
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Moist
Bloom color
Yellow, Green
Bloom season
Summer
Tough against
Black walnut, Deer, Pollution
Native to
Japan

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score Japanese Forest Grass’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

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