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© Photo by and (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man). Location credit to the Chanticleer Garden., some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons
Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold'
All Gold Hakone Grass
Japan (Honshu — Hakone region); cultivar selected in cultivation
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Overview
Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' is the all gold Hakone grass, a deciduous ornamental grass growing 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall and 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) wide. Entirely bright golden-yellow arching cascading foliage — no green stripes. The most vivid gold of any Hakonechloa cultivar. Distinguished from 'Aureola' (golden-yellow with narrow green stripes) by the complete absence of green. The foliage turns bronze-copper in fall. Inconspicuous pale green to cream panicles in late summer. In the grass family (Poaceae). Monotypic genus: Hakonechloa contains only H. macra. Tolerates more sun than 'Aureola': the all-gold tissue does not develop the burn patterns that occur where green and white/gold tissues meet. The golden color is brightest in morning sun with afternoon shade — in deep shade the gold fades toward chartreuse-green. Consistent moisture — leaf tips brown in drought. Deciduous: cut dead foliage to the ground in early spring. Slow-spreading by short rhizomes. Slow to establish: 3-5 years to form a full clump. The cascading blades flow in one direction from the clump. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 5-9. Growth rate is slow.
Native Range
The species H. macra is native to Japan (Honshu — Hakone region). 'All Gold' was selected in cultivation.Suggested Uses
Commonly planted in shade borders, along paths, cascading over walls, and in containers in zones 5-9. The entirely golden foliage brightens shade. No green stripes (unlike 'Aureola'). Consistent moisture. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Late summer (August-September) — inconspicuous pale green panicles. The entirely golden cascading foliage (spring-summer) and the bronze-copper fall color are the seasonal features.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pale green to cream, inconspicuous, in open panicles in late summerFoliage Description
Entirely bright golden-yellow (no green stripes); turns bronze-copper in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Partial shade — morning sun with afternoon shade for brightest gold. Deep shade fades the gold to chartreuse. Tolerates more sun than 'Aureola.' Consistent moisture (leaf tips brown in drought). Deciduous — cut to ground in spring. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 5-9.Pruning
Cut dead foliage to the ground in early spring (March) before new growth. No other pruning. Divide congested clumps in spring every 4-5 years.Pruning Schedule
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F
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A
M
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early spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons