Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ (Japanese Blood Grass)

Striking and eye-catching with its brilliant crimson leaves, Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ (Japanese Blood Grass) is a very distinctive ornamental grass. It produces upright, bright green blades whose upper half turns cranberry-red in summer and deepens to burgundy until late fall before it goes dormant in winter. Narrow panicles of silvery-white spikelets appear occasionally in late summer, but the main charm of this grass is its brazen foliage. Valuable for its stunning appeal, this highly decorative grass is one of the most beautiful ornamental grasses for the garden, where it provides a lovely contrast with other plants.

• Growing easily in a dense clump about 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) and across, this perennial grass spreads by shallow moving rhizomes. It enjoys full sun or part shade and thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. The best foliage color is obtained in full sun. Drought tolerant, once established.
• This is a graceful accent plant for beds, borders, and rock gardens, as an edging plant, or massed as a groundcover. Does well in containers too where it adds wonderful character and texture to your plant combinations.
• Deer resistant, it requires very little care. Protect the roots with mulch in cool winter areas. Remove dead foliage and old flowering stems in spring.
• Native to Korea, Japan, China, India, and tropical eastern Africa.
• Originally thought to be sterile, Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’ has been found to revert to an aggressive, green form, and even in its red form, to produce fertile seeds and new seedlings.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.