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Hakonechloa for ground cover

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited April 2023
    I agree- you need bulbs etc for filling the space until it [Hakonechloa] grows away. 
    Mine are very early into growth this year - usually not starting to show until about the first week of May, but the main one is about 7 or 8 inches already. That mild weather through March/April probably.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I leave the foliage on mine over winter.
    It looks and sounds great in a breeze then I cut it all off when it starts growing again in the Spring.
    They're coming on well now-


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    So lovely. Yours are well ahead of mine Pete.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I put a group of H. macra aureola under a mature acer last year.  They are just emerging at the moment amongst the remnants of some Anemone blanda and bluebells.  I tried many other options in this shaded area such as Brunnera, Pachysandra and Anemone honorine Jobert which made little progress.  Even Vinca lingered without making much of an impression!  In shade, the variegated stripes are green and lime green.  In a sunnier area of my garden the lime green is replaced by yellow.



    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Plantminded They look lovely do you think your free draining soil helps.
    Does anyone know from experience the best growing conditions and care. I have grown them but they are so slow. Never reached the stage of splitting.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    ..this is mine today, I have 2.. they spread quickly and it's easy to spade off the spreading growth for new plants.. I find it a little invasive in this respect.  I grow things around it but not too close..  it flowers in late autumn, attractive buff coloured sprays, as the foliage turns autumnal..

    ..autumn colours,..

    East Anglia, England
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've got them [H. Aurea] in heavy clay in borders, and in better soil in the raised beds - in sun and shade. No problem.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Yes @GardenerSuze, I think they like my sandy soil, like all my other grasses, that’s probably why I now replace any failing plants with grasses!  One would also look good in a container if you want to try with a lighter soil mix.  I’d say they are quite fast growing, but I’m going to wait another year before splitting mine.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Your Hakonechloa looks great @Marlorena, please share the secret of your magic soil!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I find that quite odd re the soil.
    It's one of the easiest plants to grow in my garden, and I've had it in other gardens too, with the same conditions.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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