Japanese Blood Grass prefers a sunny site and only needs a little watering. It is best to cut the ornamental grass in early spring.
The Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica) with its fiery red leaves is an extraordinary eye-catcher in every garden bed. The plant, also known as silver hair grass, grows up to 40 centimeters high. In the course of the summer, the intense leaf color increases, so that the Japanese bloodgrass is literally on fire in the autumn. Outdoors, the plant forms long runners and can form larger carpets. Cultivation in planters is also very popular.
Japanese Blood Grass - Origin
As the name suggests, the natural home of the plant is Japan. In addition, the Japanese blood grass is also found in Korea and China. The pretty ornamental grass is known there under the name "Alang-Alang-Gras". In East Asia, the Japanese blood grass is important as a medicinal herb. The high-contrast appearance of the plants is used in Japan. In the homeland of the blood grass, this is often used as a colorful underplanting for bonsai and grown in bowls.
Japanese Blood Grass 'Red Baron'
| Japanese blood grass 'Red Baron' (Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii 'Red Baron') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | upright, rhizomatous |
| Growth: | 30 - 40 cm |
| Growth: | 30 - 40 cm |
| Plant Supplies: | 30 to 40 cm planting distance, 8 to 10 plants per m² |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | fresh, permeable, normal |
Select the right location
The Japanese blood grass likes a sheltered and sunny spot. In partial shade, the leaf color will be less intense. It can also happen that the stalks turn completely green and the hoped-for play of colors is missing.
Various location options:
- Perennial bed
- Underplanting of trees and shrubs
- Edge design of garden ponds
- Japan Garden
If the location is sunny, the pretty coloring lasts until late autumn. The color contrast appears particularly intense in connection with the purple willow tree.
Selecting the ideal substrate
The Japanese blood grass prefers loose and nutrient-rich soil. The plant cannot grow in a heavy clay soil. You can make this more permeable with sand.
In order to grow well, blood grass needs a relatively large amount of moisture. Once the Japanese blood grass has become accustomed to its new location, longer dry periods will also be tolerated.
Planting the Japanese Blood Grass
The ideal planting time for the Japanese bloodgrass is spring.
Planting Japanese blood grass - step by step
- Set Location
- Prepare substrate
- Note the planting distance
- Dig planting hole
- Insert plant
- Fill substrate
- Press the earth lightly
- Water the plant
The planting hole should be about twice the size of the root ball. If you decide to plant in groups, you should maintain a planting distance of about 35 centimetres.
Cultivating Japanese Blood Grass in a Bucket
The decorative appearance of the Japanese blood grass also makes the plant interesting for growing in tubs. It should be noted that the roots of the blood grass reach up to one meter and more in depth. Accordingly, the Japanese blood grass needs a long and narrow planter.
If the roots show up on the surface of the planter and you can hardly see any soil, the plants must be transplanted into a new container.
Well suited planter:
Proceed as follows:
- Select new planter
- provide new substrate
- Pot plant
- Control Roots
- remove old and dead root parts
- pay attention to water drainage holes in the planter
- Create drainage in the bottom of the vessel
- Cover drainage with fleece
- Put the plant in the new planter
- Fill substrate
- Water the plant well
Watering the Japanese blood grass properly
As already mentioned, young plants require more care. After planting, Japanese bloodgrass will be constantly moistheld. Care must be taken not to wash in the ornamental grass. Drainage in the bottom of potted plants prevents waterlogging.
If the Japanese blood grass is well established, less watering is required and the soil can also dry slightly between the individual waterings.
Cutting Japanese Blood Grass
The attractive autumn colors are an asset to any garden and often last well into winter. Therefore, the Japanese blood grass is not pruned before winter. The foliage is also an important winter protection for the plant. Prune the Japanese blood grass in spring. There are a few things to consider:
The culms have sharp edges. you should therefore work with gloves and also provide eye protection for longer straws.
Use a sharp cutting tool to ensure clean cut edges and avoid unnecessary damage to the plant.
The stalks are not cut individually, but held together in bunches by hand. The pruning takes place about ten centimeters above the ground. For larger plants, it is helpful to tie the stalks together. Then you can work with both hands.
» Tip: The pruning should be done in early spring. Otherwise there is a risk of damaging the new shoot.
After pruning, the plant can be supplied with a thin layer of compost. Otherwise, no fertilization is necessary for the Japanese blood grass.
Propagating Japanese Blood Grass
The ornamental grass can be propagated in the following ways:
- Division
- Risslinge
Reproduction by division
The Japanese blood grass can easily be propagated by division. The grasses form underground rhizomes, which makes division easier. A part of the root area is exposed with the spade. Then cut off a section about ten centimeters long from the roots. There should be at least one bud on the rhizome.
», Tip: To prevent damage to the plant, some wood ash powder is placed on the cut.
The root piece can now be replanted at the desired location in the garden. If young plants are to be propagated, the entire plant should be taken out of the ground and divided with a sharp spade.
Reproduction by Tearlings
This type of propagation can be done in late summer. Part of the root has to be exposed. Then a strong blade of grass is torn out of the ground with its roots.To stimulate the roots to grow, the stem is placed in a glass of water on the windowsill for a few days.
Cultivation over the winter takes place in a frost-protected place in a planter filled with potting soil. From mid-May of the following year, the young plant can be planted in beds or containers and cultivated as described.
Wintering Japanese Blood Grass
The Japanese blood grass does not survive the winter in our latitudes without suitable protection. Therefore, cover the area around the plant with brushwood or leaves. Potted plants are particularly susceptible to frost and should definitely be brought indoors.