Overview
Imperata 'Red Baron' is a plant with a clump-forming habit in the genus Imperata, part of the Poaceae family, with deciduous, green, red-tinged foliage. Imperata 'Red Baron' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, containers and gravel gardens.
About
Imperata 'Red Baron' is a clump-forming grass in the genus Imperata notable for its green leaves flushed with red. It is deciduous and forms neat tussocks rather than spreading runners. Flowerheads appear in mid to late summer. Suitable for borders, containers and gravel gardens.
About the genus
Imperata is a small but widespread genus of tropical and subtropical grasses, commonly known as satintails.
Wikipedia contributors, "Imperata", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Imperata
In the garden
Imperata 'Red Baron' is a clump-forming member of the grass family Poaceae, grown for its green foliage edged and flushed with red. It is deciduous and carries summer flowerheads from July to September. The cultivar occupies a clear ornamental role where a defined, upright tussock is required rather than a rhizomatous spread. Plant in a position that receives full sun or partial shade; the cultivar tolerates south-, west- and east-facing aspects. It will grow in a wide range of soils — chalk, clay, loam or sand — provided the site is moist but well-drained, and it accepts acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Exposure is flexible: it copes in both exposed and sheltered locations. In UK terms it sits at H4 (average hardiness), so expect it to survive typical mainland garden winters with ordinary precautions for container plants. Use Imperata 'Red Baron' to give linear structure in mixed borders, to add vertical texture in containers or to punctuate a gravel garden scheme. Position it in front of evergreen backdrops or among late-flowering perennials so the red-tinged leaves and July–September flowerheads read clearly across the border.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Imperata
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Imperata 'Red Baron' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Clump-forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous, Green, Red-tinged
- Suggested uses
- Borders, Containers, Gravel gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Imperata 'Red Baron'
- Propagation
- Division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Imperata 'Red Baron'?
Imperata 'Red Baron' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Imperata 'Red Baron' need?
Imperata 'Red Baron' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Imperata 'Red Baron' hardy in the UK?
Imperata 'Red Baron' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Imperata 'Red Baron'?
Division in spring.