Hakonechloa macra (Double Barrel Grass)

‘Japanese forest grass’. Does what it says on the packet. It’s from Japan, it’s a grass (ish) and it likes shade. A really pretty plant with masses of swaying foliage, forming densely rounded puffs of graceful texture that billow and flutter in the slightest breeze. Dead nice. Especially around the bases of trees to complete a really lush and abundant bit of scenery. Autumn turns them a flaming red-then-orange, and then brown in winter. Their winter garb doesn't sound appealing, but trust us they’re magic when twinkled with frost. 

Hakonechloa makes an unusual groundcover for dappled shade and associates beautifully with ferny things, like ferns. It’s essential for any Japanese garden or woodland setting, and does particularly well in sheltered urban spaces. It can manage most soils and aspects and is well-behaved and hardy.