Gardening Flowers Perennials Japanese Bloodgrass By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 11, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Japanese Bloodgrass Overview Description Gardeners prize low-maintenance Japanese bloodgrass for its brilliant red and burgundy leaves that add streaks of deep red to your landscape. Beauty aside, this fast-growing grass spreads invasively nearly everywhere it's planted. That's why it's known as one of the 10 worst weeds in the world. But it's hard to deny the beauty of a clump of Japanese bloodgrass backlit by the sun. If this plant is on your landscaping wish list, you may want to plant it in a container to control its spread (but watch for seeds) or plant a cultivar such as 'Red Baron' or 'Rubra', which are considered less invasive. Genus Name Imperata cylindrica Common Name Japanese Bloodgrass Plant Type Perennial Light Part Sun, Sun Height 1 to 3 feet Width 1 to 1 foot Flower Color White Foliage Color Blue/Green, Purple/Burgundy Season Features Colorful Fall Foliage, Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom Special Features Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Division, Seed Problem Solvers Deer Resistant Garden Plans For Japanese Bloodgrass Japanese Bloodgrass Care Must-Knows Japanese bloodgrass grows best and develops the most vibrant leaf color in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, although it does tolerate light shade, drought, and a wide range of soil conditions. The cool-season grass grows the most in spring and fall. It is semi-evergreen in winter and can add welcome color to a winter landscape. Cut the grass to ground level in early spring before new growth begins. Try these ideas when landscaping with ornamental grasses. In areas with warmer winters, this ornamental grass spreads aggressively through rhizomes and self-seeding—to the point where it displaces other species. It is reported to be less aggressive in cooler climates. Watch plants carefully for any specimens that revert to all-green foliage. These rogue green plants are especially invasive and should be eradicated immediately. Japanese bloodgrass is listed as a Federal Noxious Weed under the Plant Protection Act, which means it can't be imported or transported between states without first obtaining a federal permit. In addition, it has been declared a noxious weed in warm-weather states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Check your state law before purchasing or planting one. Keep your ornamental grasses thriving using these tips! More Varieties of Japanese Bloodgrass Plant Japanese Bloodgrass With: Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit