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evergreen japanese grass

Discover the timeless beauty and versatility of evergreen Japanese grass in your New Zealand garden. Revered for its lush foliage, graceful arching form, and year-round appeal, evergreen Japanese grass varieties are a favourite among gardeners seeking structure and subtle movement. They thrive in both shady nooks and sun-dappled borders, offering a low-maintenance solution for adding texture and elegance to outdoor spaces. Whether you’re designing a tranquil Japanese-inspired garden, softening a path’s edge, or looking for feature plants for container displays, evergreen Japanese grasses blend seamlessly into a wide range of landscape styles.

An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to the foliage, hence the common name, Japanese Silver Grass. Tall spikes of plum-like flowers are borne in summer, which are cream with a pink tone as they grow to 1.5 m tall and 1 m wide.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Riparian
Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe' plant with lush, dark green foliage.

Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe'

5 from 2 customers

Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe' is an evergreen, ornamental grass known for its mid-green, arching foliage and tidy clumping habit. Growing to approximately 70 cm in height and width, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly tolerant of drought, frost, wind, and coastal conditions.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 70 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Ophiopogon japonicus (Green Mondo Grass) growing as a groundcover in a woodland garden.
Ophiopogon japonicus

Ophiopogon japonicus, commonly known as green Mondo Grass, is a striking ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces a dense tuft of...

From$9.95
Lomandra Frosty Tops with lush blue foliage in a garden.
Lomandra 'Frosty Tops'

Lomandra 'Frosty Tops' is a hardy, evergreen grass featuring elegant, blue-grey foliage and a soft, weeping form. Growing to around 50 cm tall and...

From$15.95
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.
Lomandra 'Echidna'

Lomandra 'Echidna' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass with a dense compact habit and fine textured foliage. It is an excellent choice for NZ...

From$14.95
Chrysopogon zizanioides grass plants growing alongside a stream.
Chrysopogon zizanioides

Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver Grass) is a hardy, evergreen clump forming grass renowned for its deep root system, attractive upright foliage, and...

From$20.63
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra 'Green Allure'

Lomandra 'Green Allure' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass with fine fresh green foliage and a neat clumping habit. It is an excellent choice for...

From$16.95
Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

From$12.95
Ophiopogon 'Kyoto' (Dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon 'Kyoto'

Ophiopogon 'Kyoto' is a Dwarf Mondo Grass and grows as a small clump with fine, dark green foliage. Flower spikes appear in summer bearing tiny...

From$6.95
Ophiopogon japonicus nana (dwarf Mondo grass) growing between paving stones.
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana'

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear...

From$9.95
Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.
Lomandra 'Lime Tuff'

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass valued for its vibrant lime green foliage and compact tidy growth habit. This versatile...

From$14.95
Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.
Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

From$22.01
isolepsis-cernua-1
Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernua)

Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...

From$16.49
Zebra grass (Miscanthus 'Zebrinus') leaves with cream and green stripes.
Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass) is a striking ornamental grass recognised for its bold horizontal yellow banding across arching green leaves...

From$19.95
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.
Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.25
Lomandra Little Pal plants with lush green foliage.
Lomandra 'Little Pal'

Lomandra 'Little Pal' is a compact ornamental grass grown for its fine, green-yellow foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to approximately 60 cm...

From$14.95
Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.
Carex 'Frosted Curls'

Carex 'Frosted Curls' is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm...

From$11.50
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.
Carex flagellifera 'Green'

Carex flagellifera 'Green' is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows...

From$12.95
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Carex comans 'Green'

Carex comans 'Green' is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$11.50
Poa cita grass plants on a plateau overlooing the sea.
Poa cita

Poa cita, commonly known as Silver Tussock, is a clump-forming NZ native grass with delicate, green foliage that wafts gracefully in the breeze. It...

From$9.95
Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.
Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra 'Tanika' is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a...

From$22.95
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' grasses as a mass planting and featuring elegant, cream-coloured flower heads as plumes.
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster'

Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' is a popular ornamental grass known for its upright, clump-forming habit and tall, feathery flower plumes. It grows to...

From$19.95
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.
Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$11.50
Cyperus ustulatus growing in water.
Cyperus ustulatus (Giant Umbrella Sedge)

Cyperus ustulatus, commonly known as the Giant Umbrella Sedge, is a large and robust NZ native grass. It grows as a clump and produces dark green...

From$17.25
acer-seiryu-
Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

Acer palmatum 'Seiryu' is a unique Japanese Maple admired for its finely dissected foliage and upright growth habit. Unlike many laceleaf maples...

From$299.95
Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium' (Japanese Privet) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its rounded glossy green leaves and dense compact growth habit...

From$21.95
pachysandra-terminalis-5
Pachysandra terminalis

Pachysandra terminalis, commonly known as Japanese Spurge, is a hardy evergreen groundcover valued for its glossy dark green foliage and dense...

From$23.39
festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1
Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

From$14.49
acer-tamukeyama-1
Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamukeyama'

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamukeyama' is one of the most admired Japanese Maples, prized for its finely dissected deep red foliage and graceful...

From$299.95
Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' tree in a garden.
Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon'

Acer shirasawanum 'Autumn Moon' is a standout Japanese maple admired for its glowing apricot and orange toned foliage that brings warmth and vibrancy...

From$299.95
cryptomeria-japonica-2
Cryptomeria japonica

Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese Cedar) is a majestic evergreen conifer valued for its tall upright form and soft rich green foliage. It brings...

From$270.40
Miscanthus sinensis

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acorus, Chrysopogon, and Lomandra, or related Categories - Grasses, and Mondo Grass.

Search evergreen japanese grass

What is Evergreen Japanese Grass?

Evergreen Japanese grass refers to a group of ornamental grasses cultivated for their ability to maintain colour and form throughout the year. The most popular variety is Hakonechloa macra (Japanese Forest Grass), which is prized for its cascading habit and vibrant green leaves. Unlike many other grasses that die back in winter, evergreen types bring continuous interest to your garden, making them a reliable choice for perennial beds and modern landscapes alike. These grasses thrive best in moist, well-drained soils with dappled light, making them perfect for the variable New Zealand climate.

Best Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

Several varieties of evergreen Japanese grass are well-suited to New Zealand conditions. The classic Hakonechloa macra (Japanese Forest Grass) is a superb all-rounder, while variegated types add a striking twist. Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata' offers cream-striped foliage that brightens shaded areas, and Hakonechloa 'Albovariegata' showcases attractive white and green striping for extra visual interest.

If you’re drawn to golden features, Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Japanese Golden Grass) is an excellent option. Its luminous yellow-variegated leaves bring a splash of sunshine to even the shadiest corners. For greater height or to introduce subtle plumes, Miscanthus types can also complement Japanese grass groupings—explore Miscanthus sinensis for an upright, textural companion.

How to Use Evergreen Japanese Grass in Garden Design

The soft, mounding habit of evergreen Japanese grass makes it ideal for mass plantings, understorey layers, or as groundcover beneath trees and shrubs. Line pathways with Hakonechloa macra (Japanese Forest Grass) for a graceful, flowing effect, or tuck Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata' into rock gardens where its striping can stand out. These grasses also work beautifully in contemporary containers, spilling softly over the edges for a lush, woodland feel.

Evergreen Japanese grass pairs well with ferns, hostas, and other shade-loving perennials, creating layered planting schemes. For a bolder statement, alternate variegated selections like Hakonechloa 'Albovariegata' or Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Japanese Golden Grass) with finely textured Miscanthus sinensis for year-round contrast.

Caring for Evergreen Japanese Grass

Evergreen Japanese grass is remarkably low-maintenance. Plant in fertile, free-draining soil for best results, and water well during dry spells, especially in the first year. Minimal pruning is required—simply remove old or damaged foliage in late winter to encourage fresh growth. With its resilience and minimal care needs, evergreen Japanese grass is an enduring favourite among New Zealand gardeners seeking both beauty and utility.

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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' and Anigozanthos 'Masquerade' are popular for a reason, but it’s plants like Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Variegatus', Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai), and Griselinia lucida that create a truly unique garden.
–The Plant Company

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