If you are looking forGarden design ideasFor the semi-shaded areas of your garden, the Japanese mountain grass (Hakonechloa macra) is ideal as an ornamental foliage plant or ground cover. This plant with light green, two-tone leaves comes from the light forests and moist forest edges of Japan, which is clearly evidenced by the variety of its names - Japan grass, Japanese forest grass, Japan dwarf reed. The perennial, herbaceous plant, whose height reaches 30 to 60 centimeters, is often grown in various areas of the garden - in raised beds,under treesor used for border planting. This means that the entire areas of embankments and hills are planted to cover the ground, which also ensures their stability.
Garden design ideas – Japanese mountain grass brings excitement to the borders
A courage to relax and meditate can be felt in the garden design ideas of the Japanese, as in their painting, film art, etc. The Japanese dwarf reed is planted in parks or Zen and rock gardens, as a plant for borders or as individual perennials. Different varieties of Japanese wild grass are known, which differ in the coloring of their leaves. The plant spreads through underground runners (rhizomes) and grows slightly overhanging in flower beds, under trees and in individual pots or containers.
Ideas for garden design from different sunny locations
Japanese forest grass can be used well in partially shaded to sunny locations. It requires fresh to moist soil with a loose structure. Hakonechloa macra adapts well to a new location and is therefore easy to plant. The tall tufts of light green leaves form the border of the garden path and provide cheerful companionship for walkers through a botanical garden with a pergola in the picture above.
Cultivation of Japanese forest grass
The propagation of Japanese dwarf reeds is achieved simply by dividing it and the best season for this is from January to March, when the first leaves have already appeared. An alternative method is by growing from seeds. Prepare slightly acidic and well-drained mulch wood soil for this lime-avoiding plant.
A foliage plant with inconspicuous flowers
The flowering period of the Japanese forest grass is from August to October. Its greenish-brown, loose panicles - the plant's fruits - stand out as if hidden under the leaves. Collect the panicles in autumn to grow new germs from the seeds.
A ground cover that can create strong color contrasts with the right partners
The popular planting partners for Japanese dwarf reeds are ferns, hostas, grape lilies and black snake's beard. With the combinations of these plants you can create beautiful contrasts in the garden and, if necessary, visually separate its areas from each other.
Bamboo underplanting idea
The Japanese mountain grass is well suited for underplanting alongside the dwarf bamboo species together with various flowering plants, green plants and other ornamental grasses. With the tree-like appearance of the tall bamboo and the elegantly overhanging leaves of the Japanese grass, a visually enhanced green design can be easily created. The combination of the two typically Asian plants will make your garden stand out from the monotony of the neighboring gardens, as it is not found in every Central European garden.
The Japanese forest grass as a ground cover for underplanting
As a ground cover for garden design around a wooden terrace where plants and trees of different heights have already been planted, you can plant an area of Japanese grass or individual tufts as bright accents in various places with deep shade. Create color harmony with other decorative objects in the garden or on the terrace in a similar light green color - like the seating area, parasols and pot above.
Plant in a circle under a fig
We give all hobby gardeners a tip about the leaves of this Asian ornamental grass - the shadier the corner, the darker green the beds of Japanese mountain grass. A shady bed with a round shape was created as an underplant around a fig and according to the rule mentioned above, the tufts grew more green especially on the tree trunk. The leaves on the periphery receive more sunlight every day and appear more yellow.
Japanese mountain grass tufts on a bed edge made of natural stones
Idea for garden design in front of a garden house - the coolness of the natural stones on the garden path, the edge of the bed and the steps is warmed by the funny green of the lancet-shaped leaves of the Japanese bar grass.
Garden design ideas with individual clumps of Japanese mountain grass
As a perennial and hardy plant, Japanese forest grass is ideal for planting in flower pots or containers. Choose flower pots and planters with mass, depending on the height of the bushes for planting. To ensure long-term enjoyment of pots and tubs with Japanese grass on the terrace or stairs, you should choose ones with a volume of at least 30 liters so that each plant can develop a good root system.
Blooming Japanese mountain grass in an exotic stone vase
Would you like at least one corner of your garden to have the design of a Zen garden? Then use flower pots or vases made of natural stone that resemble Asian stone lanterns as housings of Japanese mountain grass tufts and place them on a dark background as garden decorations.
The foliage colors of the various Japanese grass varieties provide creativity when designing your garden
The clumps of the different types of Japanese grass reach different sizes, but what they all have in common is the graceful overhanging growth. Plant clumps of a yellow variegated variety in a bright corner and create a burst of color with brighter decorative accents in the garden - fountains, benches, etc
A waterfall of fresh green foliage
The name of the Japanese mountain grass best speaks about another practical and decorative use of the plant with its fresh green leaves. Because of the structure of its root system, a better grip of the soil is achieved between the boulders of this retaining wall as the clumps create a waterfall of foliage down the garden path.
Color changes give the uniform structures a rhythm
With plants whose external shapes are similar, you can create attractive color contrasts in the garden. Here, a tuft of light-colored Japanese mountain grass joins a border shrub of black snake's beard (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens') as a beautiful edge of a garden path. In such mixtures, the dark components should be used sparingly because they naturally absorb the light.
Although the Japanese dwarf reed has proven to be hardy, in harsh locations protection with pine branches or leaves can be helpful until it is established. This way you can create darker backgrounds that make the Japanese wild grass shine more beautifully.
Dark backgrounds make the Japanese wild grass shine
The green-yellow, dense heads of the Japanese mountain grass really come into their own when the spectacular flowers of the chocolate jewel basket (Cosmos bipinnatus) play the role of a corresponding background.
A foliage plant with many uses
The Japanese grass can be used as individual tufts for trough planting or grave design. Because of its beautiful, long two- and three-colored leaves, it is also a popular cut plant in floristry.
Idea for planting a slope garden with Japanese mountain grass
If you are planning terracing in your garden, then the beds made of Japanese forest grass are a good solution for planting. The overhanging, fresh green leaves look extremely pretty in contrast to the red Corten steel bed walls. But don't forget how essential well-drained soil is for this type of plant.
