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

In the landscape

Accent · Border · Mass planting · Specimen · Container · Naturalized · Patio · Riparian

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Japanese Forest Grass

Hakonechloa macra · Ornamental grass

Japanese Forest Grass is a slow-growing ornamental grass, 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 and 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

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.

More plants for your zone: Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9

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