Golden variegated Japanese forestgrass

* Common name: Golden variegated Japanese forestgrass (a.k.a. golden variegated Hakone grass)

* Botanical name: Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’

* What it is: A soft, graceful, perennial ornamental grass with lime and green striped leaves and an arching habit.

* Size: Grows about 18 inches tall with a 24- to 30-inch spread. Spreads slowly in a clump as opposed to invasive runners as with ribbongrass.

* Where to use: Best color and performance is in shade or part shade – different from most grasses’ full-sun needs. Makes an excellent edging along a shady or woodland path. Also nice around water features.

* Care: Cut to a stub after frost browns out in fall or at the end of winter. A light scattering of a balanced fertilizer in March is usually enough. Seldom needs to be divided, but pieces can be transplanted in early spring if it eventually creeps beyond where you want it. Prefers damp soil, so water in droughts.

* Great partner: Foliage and habit contrasts wonderfully with any green or green/gold hosta, which prefers similar shady spots.