Imperata Plants (Japanese Blood Grass)

Striking Ornamental Grasses for Colour, Texture & Year-Round Interest

Imperata, commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, is a stunning ornamental grass grown for its upright foliage and spectacular seasonal colour. The most popular variety, Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron', produces fresh green leaves in spring that gradually develop brilliant crimson-red tips, creating one of the most dramatic foliage displays in the garden.

Compact, hardy and easy to grow, Imperata is perfect for adding bold colour, movement and texture to borders, gravel gardens and containers. Its architectural form makes it equally at home in contemporary planting schemes and traditional cottage gardens.

Why Choose Imperata (Japanese Blood Grass)?

Imperata is one of the finest ornamental grasses for adding long-lasting foliage colour to the garden.

Benefits include:

• Vibrant red foliage from summer into autumn
• Upright architectural growth
• Excellent seasonal colour
• Compact, clump-forming habit
• Low-maintenance and easy to grow
• Perfect for borders, gravel gardens and containers
• Hardy throughout the UK
• Adds movement and texture to planting schemes

As temperatures cool in autumn, the foliage intensifies to brilliant shades of scarlet, making it a real focal point.

Seasonal Interest

Unlike many ornamental grasses that are valued mainly for their flowers, Imperata is grown for its spectacular foliage.

Throughout the seasons it provides:

• Fresh green shoots in spring
• Bright red leaf tips developing through summer
• Brilliant crimson foliage in autumn
• Attractive winter structure before cutting back in late winter

Its changing colours provide months of interest from spring until winter.

Where to Grow Imperata

Imperata performs best in sunny positions where its foliage develops the richest red colouring.

Ideal locations include:

• Mixed borders
• Gravel gardens
• Prairie planting
• Contemporary gardens
• Cottage gardens
• Patio containers
• Raised beds

Its compact size makes it equally suitable for small gardens and larger landscape designs.

Soil Requirements

Imperata thrives in:

• Well-drained loam
• Sandy soils
• Free-draining clay
• Fertile garden soils

Avoid permanently waterlogged areas, particularly during winter.

Watering & Feeding

Water regularly during the first growing season while plants establish.

Once established, Imperata is relatively drought tolerant, although occasional watering during prolonged dry spells will help maintain healthy foliage.

Apply a balanced fertiliser or mulch with compost in spring to encourage strong new growth.

Pruning Imperata

Imperata requires very little maintenance.

For the best results:

• Leave the foliage standing throughout winter for added seasonal interest.
• Cut back old leaves to just above ground level in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
• Divide established clumps every few years if they become overcrowded.

Perfect Plant Combinations

Imperata combines beautifully with other ornamental grasses such as Pennisetum, Miscanthus and Stipa tenuissima, creating movement and texture throughout the garden. Its vivid red foliage also contrasts wonderfully with purple-flowering perennials including Salvia, Nepeta and Verbena bonariensis, while silver foliage plants such as Artemisia and Stachys byzantina help intensify its brilliant colour. It also works exceptionally well alongside architectural plants like Phormium, Cordyline australis (Cabbage Palm) and Yucca, making it ideal for contemporary and Mediterranean-inspired planting schemes.

Imperata (Japanese Blood Grass) FAQs

What is the common name for Imperata?

Imperata is commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, named after the striking crimson-red colour that develops on its foliage throughout the growing season.

Is Imperata evergreen?

No. Imperata is a deciduous ornamental grass. The foliage dies back over winter before fresh new growth emerges in spring.

Does Imperata prefer sun or shade?

Imperata performs best in full sun, where the foliage develops its richest red colouring. It will tolerate light partial shade, although the red colour may be less intense.

Is Imperata hardy?

Yes. Imperata is fully hardy throughout most of the UK and returns reliably each spring.

Does Imperata spread?

Named varieties such as Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron' form neat, clump-forming plants and spread slowly over time, making them easy to manage in borders and containers.

Buy Imperata (Japanese Blood Grass) Online

Imperata, or Japanese Blood Grass, is one of the most colourful ornamental grasses you can grow. Its vibrant red foliage, compact habit and easy-care nature make it an excellent choice for adding contrast, texture and movement to borders, containers and modern planting schemes.

Browse our collection of Imperata plants today and discover how this beautiful ornamental grass can bring striking colour and year-round interest to your garden.