Ophiopogon japonicus 'Variegatus' (v)
mondo grass 'Variegatus'
An evergreen, rhizomatous perennial, producing slowly spreading clumps of tough, grass-like, green leaves streaked with yellow, cream or white. Short stems bear clusters of small, bell-shaped, lilac-tinted white flowers in summer, followed by blue-black berries
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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 Yellow Cream White | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | White Purple | Green Yellow Cream White | ||
Autumn | Green Yellow Cream White | Blue Black | ||
Winter | Green Yellow Cream White |
Position
- Full shade
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming, Tufted
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Tolerates a range of soils and conditions, but thrives in rich, moist but well-drained, slightly acid soil in light shade
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring as growth resumes, or by seed sown as soon as ripe
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
- Ground cover
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
No pruning required, dead leaves can be combed or raked out in spring
Pests
May be susceptible to damage from slugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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