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Most commonly known as mondo grass , Ophiopogon japonicus ( type O - fio - PO - gon ja - PON - i - kus ) is apopular ornamental grasshailing from the Asparagaceae family .
The scientific name signify “ snake ’s beard ” in Greek and the plant life is also known by this name in Japan .
the Mondo is a excellent low growing ground cover – satakorn.s| DepositPhotos
Other democratic names include the :
This evergreen perennial is a grasslike relative of the lily and is especiallycherished in Japanese gardens .
aboriginal to Japanese and Korean timber , the flora features chunk of stemless leaves of dark-skinned dark-green foliage colour and tuberous roots .
The flower color varies , allow for variance when doing a mass planting strategically
Perfect for umbrageous areas with fond shade , the industrial plant has numerous cultivar , most notably ‘ Albus ’ which has white flowers , and ‘ Silver Mist ’ , which features variegated , white-hot - striped leaves .
Another popular dwarf mondo grass cultivar , ‘ nana ’ , grow to approximately half the sizing of its parent plant life and has the vulgar name of dwarf mondo grass .
Other Ophiopogon of Interest
Ophiopogon Japonicus Care
Size & Growth
Despite being rhizomatous , this flora type has a slow growth rate , organise curve lump around 8″ to 12 ” inches magniloquent and up to 1 ’ foot astray .
Its locoweed - comparable foliage measures 3/16 ” inches wide .
It has tuberous root word with large stolons , giving it just constancy .
While the leaf are narrower , the plant is very similar in appearance to Liriope .
Flowering and Fragrance
This plant has a bloom time hold up from early on to mid - summertime , forming leafless angry walk bearing short racemes of 2″ to 3 ” column inch long amid the foliage .
These racemes produce ¼ “ inch white , lavender , or pale lilac heyday which are bell - shaped .
As the heyday die , they allow behind ¼ ” in spherical blue berries .
These hoot - well-disposed berries are backbreaking to spot due to the denseness of the green parting around them .
Light & Temperature
Mondo grass fares well in part shade to full nuance , but can tolerate full sun .
It should be implant in USDA hardiness zone 6b to 11a .
However , the industrial plant remains hardy when expose to temperatures of 0 ° to 10 ° degrees Fahrenheit ( -18 ° to -12 ° C ) for short time period of time .
Watering and Feeding
rapscallion grassshould be irrigate weekly , with additional water given in extreme rut or when implant in containers for its water need .
While it prefers well - drain and constantly damp soil , it can survive completely submerged for a stop of clip .
A controlled - release fertilizer may be implement during spring and summer to ensure the plant ’s produce adequate food during its growing time of year .
You may also choose to total a ½ ” inch layer of compost annually to supply extra nutrients .
Soil & Transplanting
Grooming And Maintenance
Due to the grasslike nature of this works , it is low care .
However , be warn the shoot and beginning can slow take over a garden if not trimmed back or otherwise draw a blank ( such as using submerged planters to trammel radical spreading ) .
How To Propagate Dwarf Lilyturf
Propagate mondo grass in two different manner .
The comfortable method acting is through division during spring , separating new industrial plant by clipping the side shoot and transplant them to a new space .
A slimly more complicated method acting is to use the seed .
These may be sown as soon as they are ripe .
Choose a sandy compost and bourgeon in a cold frame .
Once orotund enough to transplant by helping hand , move each seedling to its own container and stay on to produce in the cold frame until after the first winter .
Move to their lasting place in late bound .
Dwarf Ophiopogon Mondo Grass Pest or Disease Problems
This plant life is loosely brave , being common salt and drought resistant .
It hold back up well against most pests and diseases , although slugs may become an issue . Learn more oncontrolling slugs and escargot .
It can safely grow around black walnut tree and is hare and deer resistant .
It should be mention this plant life does not guard up well against colder winter temperature and thus call for tax shelter if grown in USDA zona 6a .
Suggested Ophiopogon Japonicus Uses
Perfect for function as both an evergreen priming coat cover and in zen or contemporary garden , this plant life is an excellent makeweight for the shadier expanse of your property .
It congratulate stone gardens and make an first-class edging for pathways .
It ’s often used in borders , along ponds or other consistence of water , or as land insure accent plants for a terrace or entrance .
In Japanese culture , this flora is the basis for traditional garden and is often planted at the foundation of pagoda lanterns and Edward Durell Stone basin .
To achieve a Japanese feel , be sure to institute in irregularly - mold clump .
Meanwhile , the Chinese habituate this plant for traditional medicine .
The tubers , known as mai dong , are considered a tonic for the yin .
It is consider it aids against impairment , diphtheria , dry cough , dry mouth , insomnia , and furnish support for the heart , lung , and tum .
While this plant is often sold for freshwater aquariums , it should be observe it is not an aquatic plant and will live on only a few months when left submerged .
