Clump-forming grasses, favouring moist, peaty soil in shade or dappled shade, and hardy down to -15C. Shortly creeping rhizomes produce dense clumps, which look well situated at the front of a cool border.

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' is a variegated grass, striped gold and green, although neither colour dominates and both colours shine boldly. It comes from wet mountain cliffs on the Japanese island of Honshu.