Imperata cylindrica - 'Rubra' (Japanese Blood Grass)

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Type	Grass, Deciduous
Form	Spiky Foliage / Spiky Upright Form, Architectural Form
Size	Medium Border Plant (50-180cm height)
Colours	Red Foliage
Care	Some Maintenance Required
Hardiness	Frost hardy
Growth	Slow Growing Plant
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Imperata cylindrica Description

Blood grass is an excellent ornamental grass for a shelter location. It has outstanding red streaked foliage, which becomes more intense as the year goes on, until in the autumn when the entire leaf turns blood red. This grass looks great in a mid border location or in a pot or tub.

Imperata cylindrica - Cultivation Notes

Imperata requires a fertile moist soil in a sunny spot that is not overly exposed. Blood grass requires plenty of moisture as well as a sheltered spot to avoid bleaching / scorching of the foliage. If you grow in a pot then water regularly. Mulch / divide every 2 - 3 years to improve spread and vigour of the plant.

Strengths, Weaknesses & Design Usage

Strengths of Imperata cylindrica:

Suitable for container growing
Architectural plant – ideal as a ‘stand out’ plant

Weaknesses of Imperata cylindrica

Will not tolerate exposed, cold or hot and sunny locations
Does not produce showy attractive flowers

Design & Plant Use for Imperata cylindrica:

Ornamental grass for summer long foliage interest

If you like this plant you may also be interested in these:
plants for pots and containers
architectural plants

View all the plants listed in Genus Imperata

View other types of grasses with red foliage

Common Missspellings: Emperartor, Imperarta, Emperarta, Emporarta

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