Hakone Grass 'Albo Striata' (Hakonechloa macra): A Variegated, Shade-Loving Japanese Forest Grass

Hakone Grass 'Albo Striata' is a beautiful variegated cultivar of Hakonechloa macra, the Japanese Forest Grass. Native to the moist, wooded mountains of central Japan, this grass is prized for its graceful, cascading habit and bright foliage.

Variegated Elegance

This cultivar forms low, arching mounds 12–18 inches tall. The narrow leaves are striped lengthwise with creamy white and green, creating a luminous effect in shade. In mid to late summer, delicate, airy flower panicles appear but are secondary to the foliage. The leaves turn pinkish-bronze in fall before dying back in winter (it is deciduous).

Shade Garden Essential

Hakone Grass thrives in partial to full shade and consistently moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It is one of the few ornamental grasses that performs well in deep shade. It spreads slowly by rhizomes, forming a well-behaved groundcover. Perfect for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and containers.