This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Which Hakonechloa would be best for this area?

in Plants
I have an area in the lower part of my garden under a large Acer which is in light shade for most of the day from May to September. After trying various combinations of shade tolerant plant like ferns over the years, it's now looking a bit messy! The soil is free draining, sandy with added soil conditioner and on the dry side.
I'm thinking of block planting Hakonechloa in this bed to give some unity to the area during the summer and still allow the spring bulbs to appear before the grass returns. (Those bluebells are going to be dug out very soon!) I'm undecided between H. Aureola and H. All Gold. Does anyone have any experience of these plants and a view on which would be better please? Thank you in advance.

I'm thinking of block planting Hakonechloa in this bed to give some unity to the area during the summer and still allow the spring bulbs to appear before the grass returns. (Those bluebells are going to be dug out very soon!) I'm undecided between H. Aureola and H. All Gold. Does anyone have any experience of these plants and a view on which would be better please? Thank you in advance.

Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.
0
Posts
I would grow this one, but that's because it is my favourite.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
You have quite a lot of different plants in that area. Perhaps if you just planted one type of plant, which likes dry shade, that might be more suitable for that spot.
I have another 5 opposite - so east facing, the soil there is also quite dry, they get less sun, they are also fine.
They look good over winter too.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
You might try interplanting a few Luzula sylvatica into the block as well, they'll give a bit more winter presence and spring flowers, and blend into the Haks when cut back after flowering. Looks like you'll need to keep watered for the first year..
If it really is too dry, Melica uniflora f. albida have a similar elegance - but overall smaller/finer, and with dancing grain-like flower/seed heads.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...