Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'

Also Known As

Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron'
Japanese Blood Grass
Red Baron Blood Grass

Plant type

perennial, grass / grass like

size

H: 12"-18"
W: 4"-2'

planting zones

5a-9b

More Options

Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra' plant details

Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra' is a moderate-growing, slow-growing deciduous perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with green, red and variegated foliage. In fall and summer tan and insignificant flowers flowers emerge Flowers are not showy, but nurture a healthy ecosystem as wildlife habitat. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'

Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
Plant family: poaceae
Foliage: deciduous green, red and variegated
Mature size: 4 IN - 2 FT - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: tan and insignificant flowers blooms in fall and summer
Uses: border plant, container plant, fall color, meadow garden, pond margin, rock garden, showy

GROWING CONDITIONS for Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Zn 4. Red & Green foliage. Deciduous.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

A nice perennial grass to add interest to borders or other garden areas. Young leaves emerge green with red tips. As the summer progresses the red intensifies until the top half (or more) of each leaf is a stunning, deep red. It rarely (if ever) flowers. Best results if you cut it off to the ground every winter after it turns brown. Growth Rate slow

By: Garden World

Japanese Blood Grass. One of the finest of all ornamental grasses. This selection is slow growing and doesn't seed about unlike the straight species. Fabulous red foliage win sun slowly making dense clumps. Goes dormant in winter and just a few simple snips and fall cleanup is done. Cannot ship to AR, FL and PR.

By: Far Reaches Farm

This dramatic grass has brightly coloured foliage that is green at the bases and bright red over most of the rest of the leaf blade. A slowly spreading grass it likes full sun and average to moist soils. Japanese Blood Grass is a warm season grass so it won't start growing vigorously until mid to late spring. Until then it will look like it barely survived the winter and you'll wonder if you should dig it out. Have patience. It will be spectacular soon enough.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

The well-known Japanese Blood grass, its hardy but can take quite a beating during a hard winter and is probably better a bit south of us, but for a perennial grass in that color range, nothing else even comes close. ZONE 5

By: Arrowhead Alpines

A medium, winter dormant, perennial grass. Narrow, mid green leaves, rise vertically from a slowly spreading root stock. The end portion of each leaf is painted a deep blood red. Cut back to ground level, perhaps with a mower, when the foliage dies of in Winter. A splendid grass. A must for any Japanese style garden.

By: Zephs

A tufted, upright plant with leaf blades that are emerald green on the bottom and deep red at the top. The color intensifies in late summer and fall. This beautiful accent plant grows easily and is well suited to rock gardens. Give it sun to partial shade in moist and well drained soil. Grows 18" tall.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Well-named grass, the bright red leaves stand out in the garden. To 12-18” tall x 12” wide, this grass likes well drained soil and moist conditions in full sun for best color. Frost hardy in USDA zone 5.