About
Ophiopogon japonicus, mondo grass, is an evergreen, rhizomatous perennial to 30 cm producing slowly spreading clumps of tough, narrow, linear, dark-green leaves and bearing short racemes to 8 cm tall of small, bell-shaped, white or lilac-tinged flowers in summer, followed by spherical, blue-black berries. A popular and reliable ground-cover plant for a shaded or partly shaded, moist border.
About the 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 in summer, followed by glossy, blue-black berries. Excellent ground-cover plants for shaded or partly shaded positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toE Asia, Philippines
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained soil, slightly acid, fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division in spring as growth resumes, or propagate by seed as soon as ripe
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to damage from slugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free