Overview

Ophiopogon planiscapus is a clump forming grass like in the genus Ophiopogon, part of the Asparagaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Ophiopogon planiscapus grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. It is low maintenance. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, rock garden, banks and slopes, flower borders and beds, garden edging and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It is native to Japan.

About

Ophiopogon planiscapus is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. It is a small evergreen perennial growing to 20 cm (8 in) tall by 30 cm (12 in)wide. It grows from short rhizomes, and bears tufts of grasslike leaves, from which purple or white flowers emerge in racemes held on short stems above the leaves. It is native to Japan, where it grows on open and forested slopes. It grows to around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying evergreen foliage. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and east-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Ophiopogon planiscapus

About the genus

Ophiopogon (lilyturf) is a genus of evergreen perennial plants native to warm temperate to tropical East, Southeast, and South Asia. Despite their grasslike appearance, they are not closely related to the true grasses, the Poaceae. The name of the genus is derived from Greek ὄφις ophis, 'snake' and πώγων pogon, 'beard', most probably referring to its leaves and tufted growth.

Wikipedia contributors, "Ophiopogon", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Ophiopogon

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Ophiopogon

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

East-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Ophiopogon planiscapus size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Grass Like, Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Time to full height

2-5 years

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging, Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Native to

Japan

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Ophiopogon planiscapus

Cultivation

Prefers well-drained soil and partial shade; tolerates full sun; avoid waterlogged conditions; mulch in winter to protect roots

Pruning

Remove old or damaged leaves in early spring to encourage fresh growth

Propagation

Division in spring, Seed sown as soon as ripe

Pest resistance

Slugs

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions