A perennial that will dazzle your garden in all four seasons!
I think you already know what I am talking about.
Yes, it’s none other than one of my country’s beautiful plants, Japanese forest grass, commonly known as Hakone Grass.
It’s a plant that is admired for its gracefully arching leaves. And, because of its eye-catching presence in the garden all year round, many passionate gardeners plant it.
But, their beauty can be enhanced to the next level by pairing them with some companion plants. And you are here to find those, right?
Now before I introduce you to my top-picked Japanese forest grass companion plants, I want to give you a quick glance at this plant.
Hakone Grass At A Glance
Hakone grass is one of the native Japanese plants that is widely seen in the garden, not only here in Japan but also in other countries.
It is a beautiful ornamental grass that is highly praised for its multi-season charm, color, and texture to the orchard.
The Hakone grass is a beautiful potted plant that is treasured in shade gardens and thrives in the coolness of a forest canopy.
It grows slowly, is cold tolerant, and requires little maintenance, making it excellent for container gardening, especially if you don't have the time or interest to repot every year.
In the late summer, Japanese Forest Grass blooms with non-showy flower stalks, which will last throughout July, August, and September. The grass heads turn a rusty orange color during the fall and look stunning.
| Hakone Grass/ Japanese Forest Grass |
|---|
| Plant Type: Ornamental grasses, perennials |
| Mature Size: 12 - 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide |
| Exposure: Full sun, partial sun, shade |
| Soil Type: Chalk, clay, loam, sand |
| Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, neutral |
| Blooming Time: July to August |
| Flower Color: Yellow-green |
| Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9 |
| Native Area: Woodland areas of central Japan |
Now that you have a quick introduction to this plant, it’s time to find out what plants go with Japanese forest grass well.
10 Showy Japanese Forest Grass Companion Plants That You Will Fall in Love with
Even though it is good-looking on its own, the beauty becomes more stunning when it is grown with companion plants.
Here is my first choice that goes well with Japanese grass, Hellebores.
1. Hellebores: Provides Long-Lasting Flowers
Who doesn’t like the plant combinations of grasses and flowers?
Just imagine your Hakone grass’s slender leaves swaying with a slight breeze and touching some beautiful flowers. An absolute mind soothing scene!
And to do so, you just need to plant Hellebores, also known as Lenten roses, which is a genus of one of the most attractive perennials. With long-lasting (about 6 to 8 weeks) flowers during winter or early spring, these plants are able to decorate your yard with eye-catching colors.
Even their green foliage makes a lovely partner for variegated and golden collections of different Hakone grass varieties, including Aureola, All Gold, and Alboaurea.
Hellebores are easy to grow, and you can plant them under the filtered sun or even in a shady place.
If you want to beautify your Japanese forest grass in winter, you may choose Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose). It provides the widest colorful combination and is among the earliest of the winter bloomers.
On the other hand, Helleborus ‘First Dance’ will be an excellent option when you need a companion spring bloomer.
While talking about the significance of choosing these perennials is that they are fairly deer, rabbit, and frost resistant. Consequently, if you reside in an area where these things are a concern, then freely choose Hellebores.
Now, you may check the below table for necessary information regarding these plants.
| Hellebores |
|---|
| Common Name: Hellebore, Lenten rose, Christmas rose |
| Mature Size: 1 - 2 ft. tall with a similar spread |
| Sun Exposure: Shade in summer, sun in winter |
| Blooming Time: Winter through spring |
| Soil Type: Moist but well-drained |
| Soil pH: Neutral, alkaline |
| Flower Color: White, pink, purple, yellow |
| Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9 |
| Toxic to: Dogs, cats, and horses |
2. Columbine: Available in Colors of The Rainbow
A flowering plant that is available in almost all colors of a rainbow!
Sounds fascinating, right?
Well, the columbine plant is such an example and also perfect for growing in cottage and woodland gardens.
They have little flowers that almost look like folded paper lanterns. Depending on the varieties, you will find different colors of flowers, including red, yellow, blue, purple, violet, white, and pink.
Just pick a variety with your favorite color and plant it along with your Hakone grass. Since Columbine thrives in partial shade or in the sun, make sure your forest grass is under the same condition.
During spring, Columbine flowers emerge from dark green foliage. These leaves then turn into maroon color in fall.
By the way, these bell-shaped flowers are favorites of hummingbirds. So be prepared to listen to the birds happily whistling in your yard.
| Columbine |
|---|
| Botanical Name: Aquilegia spp. |
| Mature Size: 1 - 3 ft. tall, 1 - 2 ft. wide |
| Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade |
| Soil Type: Sandy, loamy, moist but well-drained |
| Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic |
| Blooming Time: Spring to summer |
| Flower Color: Red, purple, orange, yellow, pink, blue, violet, white |
| Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8 |
| Toxic to: Humans |
3. Astilbe: Looks Amazing All Summer Long
Astilbe blooms are known for their long, fluffy plumes that rise above frilly, fern-like foliage. They can be an excellent focal point of your shady summer flower bed.
Since it’s a shade-tolerant plant with contrasting foliage and attractive blossoms, it makes an excellent partner for Japanese forest grass shade plants.
Their foliage provides a pretty contrast with the slender, arching leaves of Hakone.
Astilbe blossoms come in a variety of colors, ranging from white to dark purple, but the majority are pastel.
Different cultivars bloom at different times and come in a variety of heights. Depending on the astilbe plant you choose, flowers can range in height from a few inches (7.5-10 cm) to a few feet (1 m).
Astilbe thrives in shaded, wet areas. They are able to brighten up shady spots, perennial borders, forests, moist areas, containers, and groundcovers.
| Astilbe |
|---|
| Other Common Name: False spirea, false goat's beard |
| Mature Size: About 1 to 4 ft tall, 18 to 30 inches wide |
| Sun Exposure: Partial, full |
| Soil Type: Loamy, moist |
| Soil pH: Acidic, neutral |
| Blooming Time: Spring, summer |
| Flower Color: Pink, red, purple, white |
| Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8 |
| Toxic to: No toxic effects |
4. Hardy Geranium: Incredibly Tough
Hardy geraniums feature showy flowers and lush foliage. They are incredibly tough as they are pretty resistant to pests and diseases. Also, they require low maintenance.
You can easily grow them if your garden has well-drained, fertile, and moist soil.
No matter what type of orchard you own, there is a hardy geranium that will suit the situation. Some types do well in sunny borders. Some are suitable for fabulous weed-choking ground covers, while others require woodland settings.
A few hardy geraniums bloom only once, generally early in the season, but the majority begin blooming in mid-summer and continue to bloom on a regular basis throughout the growing season.
Newer kinds, such as 'Rozanne,' bloom continuously throughout the summer.
| Hardy Geranium |
|---|
| Other Common Name: Geraniums, wild geranium, perennial geranium, bloody geranium, cranesbill geranium |
| Mature Size: 6 to 24 inches tall |
| Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade (varies according to variety) |
| Soil Type: Medium moisture, well-drained soil |
| Soil pH: 5.8 to 6.3 |
| Blooming Time: Spring, summer, fall (varies according to variety) |
| Flower Color: Blue, white, pink, purple |
| Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9 (differs according to type) |
5. Rhododendrons: One of My Favorite!
Don’t know why, but I have a special place for Rhododendrons in my heart. From the first day I saw this beauty; I immediately fell for its captivative look, especially the flowers.
And I think you are too after seeing them in the picture.
Well, I have had these plants in my garden for years. Then, when I planted Hakone, I bought more to accompany it.
In my opinion, rhododendrons are one of the shrubs that go with Japanese grasses. Even they both like the same type of soil.
Such a partner!
In the spring, rhododendrons will light up your landscape with flashy, colorful blooms. They produce big branches covered with flowers of a wide range of colors.
You can plant them in rows around your house or scattered across a garden.
No matter what size you prefer, there is a type of them that can fulfill your needs. You will find low-growing ground cover rhododendron and also plants that grow to 25 ft. tall.
Pink, purple, crimson, white, and yellow are among the flower colors available.
Rhododendrons prefer moist, temperate summer areas with moderate rainfall. Since they require a certain degree of freezing to form blossom buds, they do not thrive in hot areas.
| Rhododendrons |
|---|
| Botanical Name: Rhododendron spp. |
| Mature Size: 6 inches to 25 feet (depending on varieties) |
| Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade |
| Soil Type: Moist, well-drained |
| Soil pH: Acidic |
| Blooming Time: Spring (varies according to varieties) |
| Flower Color: Purple, red, orange, white, pink, yellow |
| Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9 |
| Toxic to: Dogs, cats, horses |
6. Lady’s Mantle: Capture The Water Droplets
Do you know what makes Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla) stand out from others?
Well, it’s their scalloped, circular leaves that can hold water droplets. Following rain, when the sun in the early morning rises, these droplets will sparkle like a tiny pearl.
In early summer, hundreds of airy sprays of chartreuse blossoms appear above the leaves. At first, the blooms are erect, but as they age, they begin to cascade.
These long-lasting blossoms are ideal for adding to cut flower bouquets. Although the flowers are not that much showy, the foliage looks stunning all season.
Since not everyone is a fan of flowery colors in their garden, if you are the same, these are the perfect example for you.
Alchemilla can be planted in a variety of locations in your garden, but it looks best under growing Japanese maple trees or in the foreground with Hakone grass.
| Lady’s Mantle |
|---|
| Botanical Name: Alchemilla mollis |
| Mature Size: 12 - 24 inches long and wide (some varieties) |
| Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade |
| Soil Type: Medium moisture, well-drained |
| Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6 to 6.5) |
| Blooming Time: June to September |
| Flower Color: Yellow-green |
| Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8 |
7. Black Mondo Grass: Dramatic Foliage
All my black enthusiasts, here is your treat!
Although it’s unusual for someone to choose a black-colored plant for the garden, not everyone has the same preference.
So, if you want to add a dramatic twist, black mondo will be a perfect choice. It produces dense tufts of arching, strap-shaped, grasslike leaves that range in color from dark purple to practically black.
In the summer, a single flower stalk emerges, bearing little pinkish bell-shaped flowers. This grass-like plant is commonly used as a ground cover for semi-shady locations and a border or edging plant.
It's a popular plant in rock gardens as well as Japanese zen gardens because of its unique black leaf. And, of course, the dark color makes a dramatic contrast with Hakone grass.
Note that black mondo grass grows slowly and germinates even more slowly, taking three months or more to sprout from seed. Therefore, you have to plant it in the spring to provide a strong foundation before the first winter.
| Black Mondo Grass |
|---|
| Botanical Name: Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' |
| Mature Size: About 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide |
| Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade |
| Soil Type: Moist, well-drained |
| Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5 |
| Blooming Time: Late spring to early summer |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9 |
8. Coral Bells: Have a Variety of Foliage Color
Another plant to pair with Japanese ornamental grasses is coral bells also known as Heucheras.
They are native to North America and grow in spherical mounds with a woody rootstock or crown at the base and little bell-shaped blooms that bloom on tall stems in the spring or early summer.
The nectar-rich blossoms allure hummingbirds and butterflies and also make attractive cut flowers.
Depending on the temperature, their leaves are spherical, lobed, hairy, and evergreen or semi-evergreen. Newer types of coral bells feature leaves in purple, rose, lime green, gold, and other colors and the classic green leaves.
| Coral Bells |
|---|
| Botanical Name: Heuchera spp. |
| Mature Size: 8 to 18 in. tall, 12 to 24 in. wide |
| Sun Exposure: Full, partial |
| Soil Type: Rich, moist but well-drained |
| Soil pH: Acidic, neutral |
| Blooming Time: Spring, summer |
| Flower Color: Red, white, pink, orange |
| Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9 |
9. Hosta: Have Fast, Medium, & Slow Growing Varieties
Hostas are extremely addicting!
Hmm, confused!!
Well, you will only know what I mean after planting a couple of hostas in your garden.
These super-easy perennials are extremely popular because they come in such a seemingly endless variety of colors, heights, and textures. There are hosta variations to meet any scenario, from broad borders to tiny rock gardens, ranging in size from 4-inch dwarfs to 6-foot-wide giants.
And when you plant them along with Hakone, they will make a beautiful pair.
By the way, they also look great in containers!
This incredible plant also comes in a variety of colors, including green, blue, chartreuse, and bi-color. The form and texture of the plants' leaves differ depending on the type.
And don't forget about the hosta blooms. Every hosta type produces magnificent spikes of fragrant pink, lavender, or white flowers during the summer.
| Hosta |
|---|
| Common Name: Hosta, plantain lily |
| Mature Size: 6 to 48 in. tall, 10 inches to 6 ft. wide |
| Sun Exposure: Shade, partial |
| Soil Type: Rich, fertile, well-drained |
| Soil pH: Slightly acidic (6.0 to 6.5) |
| Blooming Time: Summer |
| Flower Color: White, lavender, pink |
| Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9 |
| Toxic to: Dogs, cats, horses |
10. Holly Fern: A Drought Resistant Plant
For a full shady spot in your orchard, holly fern can never go wrong. They will thrive even in the darkest area of your garden.
When planted with forest grass, their green foliage offers an attractive contrast as a background. They are drought-resistant and native to both Asia and Africa.
This large plant grows to a mature height of 2 feet (0.5 m.) with a spread of around 3 feet (1 m.). So keep this much space while planting them.
Holly fern can be planted as a ground cover or as a border plant. You may also grow holly fern in a container and use it as a houseplant or outdoors.
| Holly Fern |
|---|
| Other Name: Japanese holly fern |
| Mature Size: Around 2 feet tall with 3 feet spread |
| Sun Exposure: Full shade, partial shade |
| Soil Type: Well-drained |
| Soil pH: Between 4.0 to 7.0 |
| Characteristics: Showy foliage |
| Foliage Color: Green |
| Hardiness Zones: 6 through 10 |
By far, I talked about individual plants to pair with Japanese forest grass. Apart from that, a combination of different plants together with Hakone can make your yard more pleasant to look at.
That’s why I offer you some plant combination ideas with Hakone grass.
Let’s dig in.
11. Tiarella
Tiarella (also known as foamflower) is a good companion plant for Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa).
Tiarella is a low-growing perennial plant that has similar growing conditions to Japanese forest grass, such as preferring moist, well-drained soil and partial shade.
The foliage of Tiarella features attractive heart-shaped leaves with intricate veining that can complement the fine texture of Japanese forest grass.
Tiarella also produces delicate, spiky flowers in the spring that add a burst of color to the garden bed.
When planting Tiarella and Japanese forest grass together, it's best to position the Tiarella in front of the Japanese forest grass to create a layered effect.
This way, the intricate foliage of the Tiarella can be fully appreciated without being overshadowed by the taller Japanese forest grass.
Overall, the two plants make a beautiful and harmonious pairing in a shade garden or woodland setting.
| Tiarella | |
| Botanical Name | Tiarella spp. |
| Mature Size | 6 and 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) tall and spread between 12 and 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) wide |
| Sun Exposure | Partial to full shade |
| Soil Type | moist, well-draining soil, rich in organic matter |
| Soil pH | 5.5 and 7.0 |
| Blooming Time | spring |
| Flower Color | white, pink, or lavender |
| Hardiness Zones | 3 to 9 |
12. Bleeding Hearts
Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spp.) can be a good companion plant for Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa), depending on the specific variety of each plant and the growing conditions in your garden.
Both bleeding hearts and Japanese forest grass prefer partially shaded to shady areas with well-drained soil.
However, bleeding hearts prefer slightly more moist soil than Japanese forest grass, so it's important to ensure that the soil doesn't dry out too much.
Bleeding hearts can grow to be relatively tall (up to 2-3 feet), so it's important to choose a variety that won't completely overwhelm the smaller and more delicate Japanese forest grass.
Some smaller cultivars of bleeding hearts, such as 'Luxuriant' or 'King of Hearts', may work better in combination with Japanese forest grass.
Bleeding hearts typically bloom in the spring and may stop blooming by the time Japanese forest grass reaches its peak in the summer.
However, some cultivars of bleeding hearts, such as 'Gold Heart' or 'Valentine', may bloom later into the summer months, providing continued interest and color to the garden.
Overall, bleeding hearts can make a lovely companion to Japanese forest grass, as their delicate foliage and unique heart-shaped flowers provide a nice contrast to the fine, flowing texture of the grass.
Just be sure to choose the right variety and growing conditions to ensure that they will thrive together in your garden.
| Bleeding hearts | |
| Botanical Name | Dicentra spp. |
| Mature Size | 1 and 3 feet (30 to 90 cm) tall and wide |
| Sun Exposure | Partial to full shade |
| Soil Type | Moist, well-draining soil |
| Soil pH | 6.0 and 7.0. |
| Blooming Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | Pink, red, white, or a combination of these colors |
| Hardiness Zones | 3 to 9 |
13. Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Lungwort (Pulmonaria) can be a good companion plant for Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa), as both prefer similar growing conditions and have complementary features. Here are some things to consider:
Both lungwort and Japanese forest grass prefer partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Lungwort can tolerate a slightly more alkaline soil than Japanese forest grass, but generally, the two plants have similar growing requirements.
Lungwort is known for its attractive, mottled foliage, which can range from green to silver and sometimes even to pink or purple.
The foliage of lungwort can provide an interesting contrast to the fine texture of Japanese forest grass, and the two plants can create a visually pleasing combination.
Lungwort blooms in the early to mid-spring, usually around the same time as Japanese forest grass. The flowers of lungwort are usually blue, pink, or white and can add a pop of color to the garden bed.
Overall, lungwort can make a great companion to Japanese forest grass, as the two plants have similar growing requirements and can create a beautiful contrast with their foliage and flowers. Just be sure to choose the right varieties and growing conditions to ensure that they will thrive together in your garden.
| Lungwort (Pulmonaria) | |
| Botanical Name | Pulmonaria spp. |
| Mature Size | 6 and 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) tall and wide |
| Sun Exposure | partial to full shade |
| Soil Type | moist, well-drained soil |
| Soil pH | 6.0 and 7.5 |
| Blooming Time | early to mid-spring |
| Flower Color | pink, blue, purple, or white |
| Hardiness Zones | 3 to 9 |
14. Solomon's seal (Polygonatum)
Solomon's seal (Polygonatum) can be a good companion plant for Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa), as both prefer similar growing conditions and have complementary features. Here are some things to consider:
Both Solomon's seal and Japanese forest grass prefer partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
Solomon's seal can tolerate slightly more sun than Japanese forest grass, but generally, the two plants have similar growing requirements.
Solomon's seal is known for its arching stems and graceful, lance-shaped leaves that can add a striking vertical element to the garden bed. The foliage of Solomon's seal can provide an interesting contrast to the fine texture of Japanese forest grass.
Solomon's seal blooms in the late spring to early summer, usually after the foliage of Japanese forest grass has had a chance to fully emerge. The flowers of Solomon's seal are usually white or greenish-white and can add a delicate, understated beauty to the garden bed.
Overall, Solomon's seal can make a great companion to Japanese forest grass, as the two plants have similar growing requirements and can create a beautiful contrast with their foliage and flowers. Just be sure to choose the right varieties and growing conditions to ensure that they will thrive together in your garden.
| Solomon's seal | |
| Botanical Name | Polygonatum |
| Mature Size | 12 and 48 inches (30 to 120 cm) tall and 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) wide |
| Sun Exposure | partial to full shade |
| Soil Type | moist, well-drained soil |
| Soil pH | 5.5 and 7.5 |
| Blooming Time | Late spring to early summer |
| Flower Color | White or greenish-white |
| Hardiness Zones | 3 to 9 |
Plant Combination Ideas With Japanese Grass
You probably know that the most popular types of Japanese forest grass are ‘Aureola,’ ‘All Gold,’ and ‘Alboaurea.’
Now I will tell you which plant combination will look good with each of these types.
1. ‘Alboaurea’ + ‘Petite Jenny’ + ‘Catlin’s Giant’
Hakonechloa macra 'Alboaurea' (Hakone Grass) is an extremely eye-catching golden variegated grass that adds drama to any garden.
Its leaves cascade down in a beautifully arching mound of vibrantly striped creamy-white, bright yellow, and green leaves. The foliage takes on a reddish hue in full sun and turns scarlet in the fall before collapsing to the ground in the winter.
You can pair it with any of my previously described plants. Or, you may unify it with petite jenny and catlin’s giant both.
Lychnis Flos-Cuculi 'Petite Jenny' (Ragged Robin)
Ragged Robin can rock your yard all summer long with its lavender-pink double flowers, clustered on slender branching stems.
The fluffy blossoms rise above the foliage of rectangular, dark green leaves. The flowers make a lovely contrast with Hakone grass.
This double-flowered little beauty is a child of Blooms of Bressingham's popular Lychnis 'Jenny,' which blooms for an extraordinarily long season from late spring to fall.
Since its flowers are sterile, it has a prolonged blooming time. This dwarf Ragged Robin grows in bushy clumps up to 12 to 14 inches tall and 18 inches broad and is also easy to care for.
Moreover, Lychnis Petite Jenny is a well-known pollinator attractor. Therefore, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees will add color and movement to the beautiful blossoms.
| Lychnis Petite Jenny |
|---|
| Botanical Name: Lychnis flos-cuculi Petite Jenny |
| Common Name: Catchfly, Ragged Robin |
| Mature Size: 12 to 14 inches tall with 16 to 18 inches spread |
| Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil Type: Moist, well-drained |
| Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, neutral |
| Blooming Time: Early summer to early fall |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8 |
Ajuga Reptans ‘Catlin’s Giant’ (Carpet Bugle)
Ajuga reptans 'Catlin's Giant' (Carpet Bugle) is a pleasant evergreen perennial with big, glossy purplish-bronze leaves that produce a dense mat of lovely rosettes quickly.
Their small blue-violet flowers are arranged on 12 in. long spikes that rise from the center of the rosettes, creating a spectacular show when in full bloom from mid to late spring.
They are also known as Bugleweed. Among wide varieties, this one is commonly utilized as groundcovers in shaded gardens. This is also one of the fastest-growing types.
Spring-flowering bulbs, particularly yellow tulips, daffodils, or Japanese forest grass, go well with it.
It prefers rich, moist soil but will endure brief droughts in the summer.
| Catlin’s Giant Ajuga |
|---|
| Mature Size: 6 inches - 1 foot tall and 10 inches - 2 feet wide |
| Sun Exposure: Sun to shade |
| Soil Type: Moist, well-drained |
| Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, neutral |
| Blooming Time: Late spring and early summer |
| Flower Color: Blue |
| Foliage Color: Bronze |
| Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9 |
2. ‘Aureola’ + Centranthus Ruber 'Albus’ + ‘Siberian Spurge’ + Hemerocallis ‘Happy Returns’+ Hosta ‘Plantain Lily’
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ is able to brighten up any garden with its gorgeous golden leaves.
It is widely known as Golden Japanese Forest Grass, and the reason is, of course, the foliage color. The leaves are golden-yellow with green stripes that arch gently into the light.
Even though this grass spreads via rhizomes, it is a slow grower that will not overrun its neighbors quickly. The yellow tones in the leaves are most noticeable when grown in part shade.
The variegation will be lime green under a spot with a deep shade. And the golden foliage becomes infused with tones of pink and scarlet throughout the chilly fall days.
Some of the popular golden Japanese forest grass companion plants are Red Valerian, Siberian Spurge, Reblooming Daylily, and Hosta. And if you combine them all along, the view will be breathtaking.
Since I already described Hosta before, it’s time to learn about the others.
Centranthus Ruber 'Albus’ (Red Valerian)
The red valerian (Centranthus ruber) is a low-maintenance plant with a profusion of star-shaped flowers that bloom for an astonishingly long time. It's a hardy perennial that brings a burst of vibrant color to any garden.
This old-fashioned wildflower thrives in the cracks of chalky walls and pavers, making it an excellent choice for cottage gardens.
Cut flowers look nice in a bouquet as well. The plant's roots and young, fresh, yet bitter leaves can also be used in soups and salads.
| Centranthus Ruber (Red Valerian) |
|---|
| Common Name: Spur valerian, red valerian, Jupiter's beard |
| Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall with 1 to 2 feet spread |
| Sun Exposure: Prefer full sun, can tolerate light shade |
| Soil Type: Tolerant to a variety of well-drained soil types |
| Soil pH: Prefers alkaline |
| Blooming Time: Early summer to fall |
| Flower Color: White, red, pale pink |
| Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8 |
Euphorbia Seguieriana Subsp. Niciciana (Siberian Spurge)
Siberian Spurge (Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana) is an upright, bushy, clump-forming perennial with remarkable flowers and attractive foliage. It is ideal for brightening any border.
It blooms in late spring with stunning clusters of bright lime-green flowers that linger for months. The slender, blue-green leaves of the semi-evergreen foliage radiate from the elegantly branched mahogany-red stems.
Moreover, it is drought-resistant, deer and rabbit tolerant, and resistant to most pests and diseases.
| Siberian Spurge |
|---|
| Mature Size: 12 - 18 inches tall and 30 - 45 cm wide |
| Sun Exposure: Full sun |
| Soil Type: Chalk, loam, sand |
| Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, neutral |
| Blooming Time: Late spring |
| Flower Color: Lime green |
| Hardiness Zones: 6 to 11 |
Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns' (Reblooming Daylily)
The award-winning Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns' is one of my favorites among the most popular reblooming Daylilies!
Wanna know why? Well, it's small, aromatic, and produces a lot of flowers over a lengthy period of time.
Atop mounds of arching, blade-like leaves, this Daylily produces masses of canary yellow spherical flowers that are somewhat crimped. This Daylily is dormant because it is so early in the season.
| Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns' |
|---|
| Mature Size: 18 inches tall with 18 to 24 inches spread |
| Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun |
| Soil Type: Chalk, clay, loam |
| Soil pH: Acid, neutral, alkaline |
| Blooming Time: Early summer |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9 |
3. ‘All Gold’ + ‘New Zealand Hair Sedge’ + Astrantia major 'Roma'
Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ can add a jolt of color to any garden with its brilliant golden color.
It retains its brilliant color throughout the spring and summer, develops a pinkish blush as fall approaches, and becomes a golden tan in the winter before dying to the ground.
But what a lovely death it was, with its leaf illuminating dismal areas of the garden adorning the beauty of the winter.
And late in the summer, delicate-looking reddish-brown flower spikes bloom.
After you pair these Hakone grass with ‘New Zealand Hair Sedge’ and Astrantia major 'Roma,’ they will look more mesmerizing.
Carex Comans Bronze-Leaved (New Zealand Hair Sedge)
Carex Comans, also known as Hairy Sedge, are ornamental grasses native to New Zealand. With clusters of fine-textured leaves, usually pale silvery green, that drape over walls or rocks in a pleasing manner, these grasses are an absolute beauty.
These ornamental perennial grasses are prized for their foliage rather than their small blooms.
Hairy sedge grass is a low-maintenance grass that grows to a mature height of around 1 foot. Although this beautiful grass is drought tolerant, it does not thrive in hot, dry areas.
| New Zealand Hair Sedge |
|---|
| Mature Size: 8 to 12 inches tall with 12 to 24 inches spread |
| Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade |
| Soil Type: Chalk, clay, loam, sand |
| Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, neutral |
| Foliage Color: Bronze |
| Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9 |
Astrantia Major 'Roma' (Great Masterwort)
Astrantia Major ‘Roma’ can never fail to amaze onlookers!
It’s hard to resist the beauty of its blooms. The tiny pink flowers are crowded together in a dome-shaped flowerhead, just like a pin in the cushion.
The blooms are carried on long wiry stems, attached above the attractive deep green maple-like leaves.
Flowerheads remain lovely for a long time. Astrantia is a traditional cottage-garden favorite, but it also works nicely in modern-style gardens. Perfect for the front of a mostly sunny property or at the edge of a wooded area.
| Astrantia Major 'Roma' |
|---|
| Common Name: Masterwort |
| Mature Size: 1 to 2 feet tall with 1 to 1.50 feet spread |
| Sun Exposure: Part shade |
| Soil Type: Chalk, clay, loam, sand |
| Soil pH: Acid, alkaline, neutral |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Hardiness Zones: 4 to 7 |
Well, that's all I got for today. Let’s conclude it here.
Conclusion
After exploring all of these Japanese forest grass companion plants, hopefully, you will be able to find the most suited ones for yours.
Try to pair it with any of the mentioned ones or mix some of them with your Hakone grass. They will look good in any way.
And don’t forget to snap some instagrammable pictures and share them with your fellow gardeners.
For today, I am signing out here.
