Ophiopogon japonicus
mondo grass
Evergreen, rhizomatous perennial about 30cm tall, producing slowly spreading clumps of tough, narrow, linear, dark green leaves, and bearing short racemes to 8cm tall of small, bell-shaped, white or lilac-tinged flowers, in summer, followed by spherical blue-black berries
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Blue Black | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Ophiopogon are rhizomatous or tufted evergreen perennials forming clumps of leathery, narrowly strap-shaped leaves, with racemes of small bell-shaped white or mauve flowers on leafless stems in summer, followed by glossy black berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- E Asia, Philippines
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained soil, slightly acid, fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring as growth resumes, or propagate by seed as soon as ripe
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
- Ground cover
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to damage from slugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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