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Native alternative(s) for Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra':
Muhlenbergia capillaris Muhlenbergia capillaris
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Imperata cylindrica Form in bloom
Lonicera japonica Growth habit
Phyllostachys aureosulcata Phyllostachys aureosulcata

Japanese Blood Grass Imperata cylindrica 'Rubra'

Other plants called Japanese Blood Grass:

Phonetic Spelling
im-per-AH-tah sil-IN-drih-kah
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

Japanese Bloodgrass is a perennial variety of cogongrass which has been designated as one of the 10 worst weeds in the world and is listed on the USDA's Noxious Weed List. While the red form is not invasive, it can revert back to the  4-5 foot tall green form which is extremely aggressive. The foliage is narrow and sharply pointed grassy leaves which are green at the base and red from midsection to tip.  Cogongrass has already invaded 153 billion acres worldwide, and over one million acres in Florida, where it has displaced many native species of plants.

Please consider using non-invasive alternatives. 

 

More information on Imperata cylindrica.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Red Baron'
'Red Baron'
Tags:
#deciduous#invasive#drought tolerant#red leaves#showy leaves#high maintenance#air pollution tolerant#fast growing#aggressive#green leaves#black walnut toxicity tolerant#weed#Noxious Weed (Federal list)
 
Imperata cylindrica rubra
Leaves Gardening is a Minute CC BY-NC 2.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Red Baron'
'Red Baron'
Tags:
#deciduous#invasive#drought tolerant#red leaves#showy leaves#high maintenance#air pollution tolerant#fast growing#aggressive#green leaves#black walnut toxicity tolerant#weed#Noxious Weed (Federal list)
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Imperata
    Species:
    cylindrica
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeast Asia, Southern Europe, Africa, Micronesia, Australia
    Distribution:
    It is established in FL, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gray/Silver
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Flower Description:
    Rarely flowers but can flower year around in semi-tropical area or tropical areas
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Drought
    Pollution
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Weedy