Perennial of the Year

Each year the Perennial Plant Association determines that one plant, above all others, deserves special distinction. The plant chosen as the 2009 Perennial Plant of the Year® is Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', a member of the Poaceae family, commonly known as Golden Japanese Forest Grass.

Native to Japan, Golden Japanese Forest Grass is a long-season ornamental grass known for the color of its foliage and its cascading arches. A slight breeze will stir this grass. Large plantings will undulate like a golden ocean swaying to and fro. Individual blades measure 1/2" wide and are a bright yellow color with very thin green stripes. Each plant grows 12 to 18 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide.

Notable qualities:

• So versatile it may be used as a ground cover, a border-front specimen, as a mass planting, or spill over the side of a patio container.
• Its bright color uniquely adds vivid highlights to shaded areas and to evening gardens.
• It is shade tolerant with few insect or disease problems
• Not favored by deer.
  
• Bestows autumn color when its golden foliage becomes tinged with shades of pink and red as the temperature cools.
• Low maintenance, just cutting back the dead leaves in late winter or early spring.

Good to Know:

• It is hardy to USDA zones 5-9.
• Partial shade is the optimum location in hot climates while more sun is suitable in cooler areas
• Produces tiny, inconspicuous flower spikes from late summer through mid autumn
  
• Prefers moist, humus-rich, and well-drained soil, so it will not grow well in poorly drained soil, heavy clay soil, or very dry soils.
• To reduce the golden leaf color, plant in deep shade.
  
• Spreads so slowly by stolons that it is not a threat to nearby plants and won't require division for many years.

Garden Placement Ideas:

Golden Japanese Forest Grass has a combination of golden leaves with green stripes which make it a fantastic companion to hostas, especially those with hostas that have a golden edge or a bluish cast. Excellent complements to golden hakone grass include any purple or dark leafed plant, astilbe, epimedium, wild ginger, bleeding heart or lady's mantle.

As a container plant, golden hakone grass adds a lot of charm as it cascades over the sides like a waterfall. It is also especially useful as an edging plant where it can cascade into a path. This ornamental grass is an excellent addition to an Asian-style garden or can be used to provide a somewhat tropical look and feel.

Any dark or drab area of the garden will benefit from golden hakone grass. When planted in mass the entire area glows like thousands of lightning bugs on a dark summer's night. For those gardeners who always go for the gold this will be a medal winner in the garden.