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japanese forest grass varieties

Japanese forest grass varieties are some of the most sought-after ornamental grasses for New Zealand gardens, thanks to their graceful texture, vibrant foliage, and exceptional shade tolerance. Whether you’re constructing a peaceful shade garden, softening the edge of a path, or creating movement beneath trees, the different Japanese forest grass varieties bring elegance, colour, and easy low-maintenance flair to almost any outdoor space. With their cascading habit and lush leaves, Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) and its many distinctive cultivars are reliable choices for gardeners who want to add year-round interest and refined beauty beneath trees, in containers, or mixed perennial borders.

Lomandra Frosty Tops with lush blue foliage in a garden.

Lomandra 'Frosty Tops'

5 from 2 customers

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 wide, it performs well in full sun or partial shade and tolerates drought, frost, wind, and coastal exposure.

From $15.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.

Lomandra 'Echidna'

5 from 2 customers

Lomandra 'Echidna' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass with a dense compact habit and fine textured foliage. It is an excellent choice for NZ gardens where a tough, low maintenance plant is needed for borders, mass planting, path edges, containers, and exposed sites.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 55 cm
Spread: 55 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe' plant with lush, dark green foliage.
Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe'

Lomandra 'Katrinus Deluxe' is an evergreen, ornamental grass known for its mid-green, arching foliage and tidy clumping habit. Growing to...

From$14.95
Lomandra Nyalla grass with blue-green foliage in a border planting.
Lomandra 'Nyalla'

Lomandra 'Nyalla' is a hardy ornamental grass featuring delicate, lush green foliage and a graceful, arching form. Reaching approximately 80 cm in...

From$16.95
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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$12.95
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
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
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
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
Carex dissita (Purei) plant growing in a native garden.
Carex dissita (Purei)

Carex dissita, commonly known as Purei or Forest Sedge, features arching, mid-green leaves that radiate from a central clump. It typically grows to...

From$12.95
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
Cercis Forest Pansy growing in a courtyard garden with purple leaves.
Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'

Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' is a spectacular deciduous ornamental tree renowned for its vibrant rosy pink spring flowers and stunning deep...

From$270.40
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
A cluster of Betula platyphylla 'Japonica' trees showing their brilliant white trunks.
Betula platyphylla 'Japonica'

Betula platyphylla 'Japonica' (also known as Japanese White Birch) is a graceful deciduous tree admired for its striking white bark, upright form...

From$383.29
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.
Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$11.50
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' specimen tree with purple-red cascading foliage.
Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen' is a highly admired weeping Japanese maple known for its finely dissected burgundy foliage that retains rich colour...

From$299.95
Acer palmatum dissectum 'Stella Rossa' tree with fine, dark purple foliage.
Acer 'Stella Rossa'

Acer 'Stella Rossa' is a striking Japanese Maple valued for its finely dissected deep red foliage and elegant cascading growth habit. The rich...

From$399.95
acer-viridis--4
Acer palmatum dissectum 'Viridis'

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Viridis' is a graceful Japanese Maple prized for its finely dissected bright green foliage and elegant cascading form. The...

From$249.95
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$14.95
Lomandra 'Frosty Tops'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Dactylis, Isolepis, and Lomandra, or related Categories - Grasses.

Search japanese forest grass

What Makes Japanese Forest Grass Unique

All Japanese forest grass varieties originate from Hakonechloa macra, a perennial grass native to the mountainous woodlands of Japan. Valued for its flowing, arching form and tolerance for shade, Hakonechloa macra stands out from other ornamental grasses with its bamboo-like foliage, which gently sways in the breeze and changes colour as the seasons progress. These grasses thrive in moist, well-drained soils and are perfect for those shadier corners where other plants struggle to shine.

Popular Japanese Forest Grass Varieties

Gardeners in New Zealand can choose from several beautiful Japanese forest grass varieties, each offering unique hues and visual impacts for every style of garden. Discover some of the top cultivars below:

Hakonechloa macra

The straight species, Hakonechloa macra, features arching, fresh green leaves and is an ideal foundation for any woodland or shade garden. Its gentle habit makes it a striking companion to ferns and hostas.

Hakonechloa 'Albovariegata'

For a bright, cheerful twist, Hakonechloa 'Albovariegata' features graceful green leaves striped with creamy white. This cultivar lights up shady spots and works beautifully as an underplanting for shrubs or trees.

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Japanese Golden Grass)

One of the most celebrated Japanese forest grass varieties is Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Japanese Golden Grass). With its golden-yellow-and-green striped foliage, it adds a warm glow to gardens and is especially eye-catching when combined with purple or blue perennials.

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata'

Another luminous choice is Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata', noted for its narrow leaves and subtle creamy stripes. It’s ideal for gardeners seeking a refined, understated look in containers or along garden paths.

Planting and Pairing Ideas

Japanese forest grass varieties blend seamlessly with other shade-loving plants. Pair them with textural contrasts such as ferns, hellebores, or hostas. For even more interest, consider the compact Acorus Albo Variegata (Variegated Sweet Flag), which offers fine, fragrant foliage and grows well alongside Hakonechloa.

Grow Your Perfect Shade Garden

Japanese forest grass varieties are versatile, hardy, and endlessly rewarding. Whether you prefer the shimmer of gold, creamy stripes, or classic green, there’s a Hakonechloa that fits your garden vision. Explore your options with Hakonechloa macra and its striking cultivars for a lush, low-maintenance shade garden that shines year-round.

Contact us

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.
Photinia 'Red Robin' and Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' are beloved staples, but Hedycarya arborea, Thuja plicata 'Old Gold', and Carex dissita (Purei) bring fresh energy to any planting scheme.
–The Plant Company

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