Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) is an ornamental grass admired for its graceful, flowing habit and vibrant foliage. Incorporating companion plants enhances a garden’s aesthetic appeal. Thoughtful companion planting also contributes to overall plant health by creating a balanced ecosystem, leading to a more cohesive and visually engaging garden design.
Characteristics of Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass is a deciduous perennial known for its mounding and cascading growth habit. It reaches 12 to 18 inches tall and spreads about 24 inches wide, forming dense, arching clumps. This grass thrives in partial to full shade; variegated forms display best color intensity when shielded from direct, hot sun, while golden and variegated cultivars show more vibrant hues with dappled sunlight.
The plant requires consistently moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Poorly drained or heavy clay soils are unsuitable, as they can lead to root issues. Its fine texture provides a unique contrast in the garden, and its foliage colors, ranging from bright green to gold, variegated, and reddish-pink in fall, offer versatility. This grass is also deer resistant and generally free from major pests or diseases.
Choosing the Right Companion Plants
Selecting companion plants for Japanese Forest Grass involves matching environmental needs and aesthetic contributions. Plants sharing similar preferences for light, soil moisture, and pH naturally thrive together. Japanese Forest Grass prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade, which are primary selection criteria.
Aesthetic considerations are also important for a visually appealing garden. Contrasting textures, such as bold leaves against the grass’s fine blades, can create depth and interest. Complementary colors like purple, blue, or silver enhance the golden or green tones of Hakonechloa macra. Varying plant forms and heights contribute to a dynamic, layered display.
Top Companion Plant Recommendations
Many plants pair well with Japanese Forest Grass, offering both environmental compatibility and visual appeal.
Hostas are a popular choice, known for their bold foliage and ability to thrive in similar shade and moisture conditions. Varieties with blue or dark green leaves provide a striking color and texture contrast to the grass’s fine, arching blades.
Ferns, such as Japanese Painted Fern (Anisocampium niponicum ‘Pictum’) or Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum), offer a different textural element with intricate fronds, adding a sense of woodland tranquility. Their shades of green, silver, and burgundy complement the grass. Astilbes are excellent companions, providing vibrant, plume-like flowers in white, pink, red, or purple. Their fern-like foliage creates a soft backdrop, and blooms add vertical interest and color from mid-summer.
Heucheras, or Coral Bells, come in a wide array of foliage colors, including chartreuse, peach, deep burgundy, and silver. Their mounding habit and diverse leaf textures create a strong visual contrast with the cascading form of Japanese Forest Grass, and they share similar light and soil preferences. Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) offer delicate, heart-shaped flowers in spring, providing early season interest before the grass’s full lushness appears.
Foamflowers (Tiarella cordifolia) are low-growing perennials with attractive heart-shaped leaves and airy white flower spikes in spring. They form a beautiful groundcover that complements the grass’s texture and thrives in the same moist, well-drained, shady conditions. Epimediums, or Barrenwort, with their elegant, heart-shaped leaves and dainty spring blooms, offer a contrasting texture and form. Hellebores, particularly those with dark green foliage, are valuable for their winter and early spring blooms, providing interest when many other plants are dormant.
Other suitable companions include:
Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.), which offers early spring blooms and attractive spotted foliage.
Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum), known for its arching stems and bell-like flowers.
Shade-loving annuals like Begonias and Coleus for continuous color, especially in containers.
Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) for a dramatic dark contrast.
Designing Your Garden with Companions
Designing a garden with Japanese Forest Grass and its companions involves thoughtful arrangement to maximize visual impact and plant health.
Layer plants by height, placing taller companions in the background, medium-sized plants in the midground, and Japanese Forest Grass along the foreground or edges. This creates depth and allows each plant to be fully appreciated.
Establish visual flow throughout the garden bed, encouraging the eye to move smoothly from one plant grouping to another.
Repeat certain companion plants or colors to create cohesion and rhythm.
Consider seasonal interest to ensure the garden remains attractive year-round, with different plants taking center stage as seasons change.
Provide adequate spacing between plants for air circulation and growth, while grouping plants with similar needs simplifies maintenance and creates impactful displays.
Maintaining Your Japanese Forest Grass Garden
Maintaining a garden with Japanese Forest Grass and its companions is straightforward, given their shared environmental preferences. Consistent watering is important, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. A layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants helps retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
Japanese Forest Grass requires little supplemental fertilizer if planted in rich, fertile soil. If growth appears weak or soil is poor, a light application of a balanced fertilizer in spring is beneficial. In late winter or early spring, before new growth begins, cut back the previous year’s dead foliage for both the grass and its companions to maintain a tidy appearance and promote fresh growth. Japanese Forest Grass is resistant to pests and diseases, but regular observation allows for early detection and intervention.