Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’

Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ is a distinctive ornamental grass valued for its luminous golden foliage and graceful, cascading habit. Unlike upright grasses, it develops a low, flowing mound, with narrow blades that arch gently toward the ground and move beautifully with the slightest breeze.

‘All Gold’ performs particularly well in part shade to shade, where its bright foliage provides a strong contrast against darker-leaved shrubs, ferns, and other woodland plants. Morning sun or filtered light can enhance its golden color, while protection from intense afternoon sun is beneficial, particularly in warmer climates.

This slow- to moderate-growing perennial spreads gradually by short rhizomes, eventually forming a dense, elegant clump. The foliage typically develops a warmer golden tone as the season progresses, and the fine-textured flower panicles that appear in late summer are subtle rather than showy. In colder climates, the foliage dies back in winter and should be cut to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.

‘All Gold’ is an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, rock gardens, containers, pathways, and slopes, particularly where its cascading habit can spill over walls or soften the edge of a planting. Its combination of brilliant foliage, fine texture, and graceful form makes it one of the more useful ornamental grasses for brightening shady areas.

Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Habit: Mounding, cascading
Foliage: Golden yellow
Flowering: Late summer; inconspicuous airy panicles
Type: Deciduous perennial grass