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Pruning guide · Ornamental grass
Japanese blood grass: when and how to prune
Imperata cylindrica
Japanese blood grass is best pruned in March–April.
| Pruning months | March–April |
|---|---|
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Japanese blood grass: when to prune it?
In March–April, once the worst frosts are over and before the new leaves appear.
Japanese blood grass: how to prune it?
- Cut the old, faded foliage back to just above the ground.
- Leave the old foliage over winter: it protects the crown from cold and wet.
- Remove green shoots as soon as you see them, even in summer, and dig out the rhizome with them.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March–April.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in March–April, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
Caution: Green shoots have reverted to the wild form. They grow much more strongly than the red leaves, can take over the clump and start to spread.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Japanese blood grass · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.