Hakonechloa macra 'Beni-Kaze' is a cultivar of Japanese forest grass noted for its foliage that turns brilliant shades of red and purple in fall. The graceful arching green leaves develop vibrant tones as temperatures cool adding movement and dramatic autumn color to shade gardens and woodland edges.
Height & Spread: 15 - 18 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Late summer
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained soil with organic matter
Watering Needs: Moderate; benefits from consistent moisture
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant
Native Status
Cultivated variety of Hakonechloa macra, native to Japan. It is grown for its ornamental and seasonal foliage effects in non native gardens worldwide.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Beneficial Insects
- Provides microhabitat for ground beetles and other predatory insects in shaded garden beds.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to allow room for clump expansion and fall color display.
Landscape Placement
- Ideal for highlighting transitions in shaded borders, fall themed containers, and pathways. Its cascading form softens hard edges and pairs well with woodland perennials.
Companion Plants
- Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh) - Offers height and dramatic flower spikes above Hakonechloa’s arching foliage.
- Aruncus dioicus (Goat’s Beard) - Adds fernlike texture and creamy plumes in moist shaded beds.
- Carex appalachica (Appalachian Sedge) - Complements the fine arching forms with shade and moisture tolerance.
- Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger) - Provides dense foliage and soil coverage in deep woodland shade areas.
- Epimedium grandiflorum Forms a durable low mat under the taller grass while blooming in spring.