Mondo sess ( Ophiopogon ) is a robust , downcast - growing leafy flora that is an excellent substitute for turfgrass . The benefit of planting mondo grass are that it ’s low-pitched - care , grow in the nuance , does n’t take over gardens , and appease green all year long . The other varieties of mondo grass include black mondo grass , dwarf mondo grass , and variegated mondo grass .
If you ’re looking forevergreen ground cover for shade or Dominicus , then any type of mondo grass is ideal .
This clause is a concluded guide to grow and handle for mondo Mary Jane . You ’ll find helpful tips from planting mondo sess seeds to ensuring that the perennial works thrives throughout the year .
Information About Mondo Grass
Mondo grass is an evergreen , ornamental flowering plant life that looks like tuft of long spiky Mary Jane . Although calledgrass , mondo grass is in the genusOphiopogonand familyAsparagales . True turfgrass , such as thetypes of sess used for lawn , belongs to the familyPoaceae . Unlike lawn grass , mondo grass does n’t ask mowing .
Mondo grass has long , slight green blades between 8 ” and 15 ” ( 20 – 40 centimeter ) in length . The leafy plant spring up in cluster from tuberous rootage that lento go around under the ground , creating a thick-skulled , tough earth cover . On average , mondo grass tufts develop around 12 ” ( 30 cm ) high-pitched .
Mondo grass is a flowering plant life that produce clusters of wan lilac - tinge flower on a spiked stem turn ( raceme ) .
Most kind of mondo grass — Ophiopogon japonicusandOphiopogon planiscapus ‘ Nigrescens’—are not very tight - farm plants . The dwarf mondo grass variety — Ophiopogon japonicus‘Nana’—is a notorious slow - growing and easy - spreading works .
Where to plant mondo grass
Mondo locoweed grows in full Sunday to complete shade , work this a versatile garden landscape gardening plant life . To grow these dumb tuft of strappy leaves , plant mondo supergrass in well - draining soil . Because this smoke - similar works is adaptable , the attractive clumps mature in most soil types — everything from clay to loamy , flaxen soil .
To grow mondo grass in your garden , set the regular multifariousness between 4 ” and 12 ” ( 10 – 30 cm ) aside . The nearer you plant your clippety-clop flora , the denser footing report you ’ll accomplish . If you want to set dwarf mondo grass , then leave behind between 2 ” and 4 ” ( 5 – 10 cm ) between the tufts .
Mondo grass is also idealistic for evergreen plant ground cover in sundry seam , along borders , recurrent edging , establish under bush , or adding verdure to gravel gardens .
It ’s fine to from time to time walk on mondo grass — both the regular and gnome varieties . However , frequent foot traffic will demolish the strappy blades before they have time to regrow . If plant mondo grass in a garden landscape , site stepping stones to walk through the mondo grass area .
Mondo Grass Vs. Monkey Grass
It ’s well-heeled to slip mondo grass for a standardised - looking plant normally calledmonkey grass or Liriope muscari . Lilyturf ( Liriope ) look interchangeable to mondo grass – it is a clop plant with arching pot - alike blades . Generally , lilyturf species go by the common names of monkey grass , creeping liriope , and wanderer grass .
Although some masses refer to mondo pasture as rascal forage , only varieties of Liriope muscari ( Liriope ) have the cognomen monkey grass .
On the left : Mondo grass ( Ophiopogon japonicus ) . Right : Lilyturf ( Liriope ) which is also referred to as monkey weed
How to Care for Mondo Grass – Overview
To give care for mondo grass ( Ophiopogon japonicus ) , rise it in well - debilitate grunge . Mondo sess is an easy - tutelage garden plant and grows well in full Dominicus , partial shadowiness , or full subtlety . Water the grassy lump now and then in hot weather . Although not necessary , you may fertilize mondo grass every spring withdiluted lawn fertilizer .
Types of Mondo Grass (With Pictures)
The three main varieties of mondo grass are green mondo grass ( Ophiopogon japonicus ) , fatal mondo locoweed ( Ophiopogon planiscapus‘Nigrescens ’ ) , and variegated mondo pot ( Ophiopogon jaburan‘Vittatus ’ ) . There are also many mondo grass cultivar , with dwarf mondo grass ( Ophiopogon japonicus‘Nana ’ ) being one of the most pop one .
allow ’s reckon in more detail at the various type of mondo pasture and how to give care for these spread garden plants .
Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Mondo grass ( Ophiopogon japonicus ) is an evergreen land - screen works that can farm in both sunny and shady areas
Mondo grass ( Ophiopogon japonicus ) is a small - growing leaf plant with thin , foresightful unripened blades . This grass - comparable industrial plant is a tough background - cover plant with impenetrable , heavyset increment . The evergreen perennial landscaping works helps keep a carpet of greenery in garden through all the seasons .
The evergreen plant development of mondo green goddess gives it many advantage over lawn greensward . Unlike turfgrass , which needs sun or fond shade to grow , mondo grass thrives in shaded country . This means you may use mondo grass for a soft blanketground cover under shrubs , tree , or other voice of your garden in continual specter .
Mondo grass grows between 10 ” and 14 ” ( 25 – 35 centimetre ) tall and spreads up to 2 ft . ( 0.6 m ) wide . The dense maturation habit and racy root arrangement mean that mondo grass is ideal for suppressing skunk . Although you could take the air on mondo sess , it ’s not a type of grass for enceinte fundament traffic .
Mondo grass is a flowering plant with small spikes of palelilac - color flower clustersappearing in summer . After flower , the flowers give way to small Chuck Berry - corresponding fruit that are an attractive blue color .
Mondo grass ( Ophiopogon japonicus ) fruit
How to plant mondo grass
Plant mondo grass in soil that has first-class drainage . If planting minuscule plant from pots , dig in about 2 ” or 3 ” ( 5 – 7.5 cm ) of compost . Make a hole big enough for the roots and industrial plant at the same meridian as it was in the pot . industrial plant mondo grass tufts between 4 ” and 12 ” ( 10 – 30 cm ) asunder , look on your required density .
The planted sphere where mondo Mary Jane mature should be kept medium moist . However , because mondo grass is extremely adaptable , it thrives in most soil type , grows in sunlight or shade , andwithstands some drought . Mondo sens expand in USDA zones 7 through 10 .
The ideal surface area to grow ornamental mondo grass plants are along border , as an edging plant , under - planting shrubs , or to make gravel gardens more attractive .
How to care for mondo grass
Mondo smoke requires little upkeep for it to boom . You take to keep the terra firma moist while the works gets established . After that , weewee mondo grass on occasion in the summer just to keep the dirt moist . Once established , you only postulate to cut back the flimsy leafy foliation every other year to keep it tidy .
How to propagate mondo grass
Root division is the easiest way to propagate mondo grass . apply a garden fork to elevate chunk of mondo sens from the priming . Separate the tussock into two using a sharp knife or power shovel . Replant the mondo grass tufts wherever you take attractive gage in your garden landscape .
Every three twelvemonth , you may need to melt off out thedense flat coat blanket growing . This is the best time to spread mondo weed , and you should take the root carving in spring for the best results .
How to grow mondo grass from seeds
Mondo grass can be wily to develop from seeds . Put tonic or dried seeded player in a bowlful of water and get gazump for two days . Place the seeded player 1 ” ( 2.5 cm ) asunder on a tray of infertile potting soil and cover softly with soil . Mist the soil , cover with a plastic bag and put in a cool shady position . It ’s best to set mondo grass seeds in November . Keep the grunge moist , and the seed should germinate by May .
you’re able to harvest germ from mondo grass berries near the remainder of October or buy them from your local garden shop .
When the atmospheric condition warms in spring , you’re able to transfer new mondo grass plants into your garden .
Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus‘Nigrescens’)
Black mondo locoweed add together interest to landscape garden all year around
bleak mondo supergrass is a dramatic landscape painting foliage flora with thin sinister arching blades . Also call in ‘ Black Dragon ’ or ‘ Ebony Night ’ , contraband mondo locoweed grows between 6 ” and 8 ” ( 15 – 20 cm ) tall . grim mondo grass producespinkish - white flowersand blue - colored purple berries .
black-market mondo supergrass is an ideal plant for adding some drama to your garden . The black skunk - like blade are 8 ” to 12 ” ( 20 – 30 cm ) long and spread out to make a thick black ground cover . Like all mondo grass variety , this bootleg variety is an evergreen durable garden plant that mature in sun or shade .
How to plant black mondo grass
embed black mondo grass in full sun to fond tad . acquire this black ‘ Gunter Grass ’ in well - debilitate , deep soil that also hold some moisture . The best time to plant dim mondo grass is in saltation so that its roots can get established before wintertime .
found black mondo industrial plant under shrubs , along borders , in mixed beds , or add a dramatic jet - grim dialect to gravel gardens .
How to care for black mondo grass
Water black-market mondo grass once a week during the growing time of year . compare to ‘ regular ’ mondo grass , the bleak variety needs more water system . You should water the plant often enough so that the background is continuously damp and the root are never ‘ bear ’ in soggy soil . It ’s not necessary to irrigate the black grass - like plant in wintertime .
How to propagate black mondo grass
The good way to propagate black mondo supergrass is by dividing the rhizome roots in springiness . Use a garden crotch to pry the plant tuft from the ground . Then attempt to separate the clump in two with your deal or a sharp knife . Replant the ground concealment plants between 4 ” and 12 ” ( 10 – 30 cm ) apart . Keep the ground moist until the roots are established .
Black mondo grass does n’t spread fast . So , propagation is sometimes the quick way to establish a gravid domain of dry land cover .
Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus‘Nana’)
Dwarf mondo grass has light foliage and is great for planting between stones or pave in the garden
Dwarf mondo grass is a ground - hugging , carpet forge spreading industrial plant . This poor mondo supergrass cultivar only grows to between 3 ” and 6 ” ( 7 – 15 curium ) tall with a similar - sized banquet . Dwarf mondo grass has pocket-size , lean spiky - look benighted unripe ‘ pasturage ’ blades . This evergreen , landscape gardening dry land cover plantproduces modest white flowersand drear berry .
Dwarf mondo locoweed is a double-dyed choice for turfgrass lawn that ask little mowing or attention . Compared to other varieties of mondo grass , the ‘ Nana ’ cultivar is more durable and withstands moderate foot traffic .
As well as a lawn option , nanus mondo grass grows best as edge , flat coat cover , borders , or shade - broad plant . Additionally , you’re able to found scatter dwarf mondo grass under shrubs or tree to treat bare flat coat . Dwarf creeping plants like mondo grass are also ideal for grow between Harlan F. Stone or paving in yards .
Of all the assortment of mondo grass , Ophiopogon japonicus‘Nana ’ is the slowest - develop .
Dwarf mondo grass care
To give care for dwarf mondo grass , water the tufts of blades in spring and summer enough to keep the reason moist . Mini mondo grass should grow in well - draining soil that retains some moisture . Dwarf mondo grass is tolerant of full sunlight and originate well in fond shade . harbour off watering during the wintertime to prevent the root from rot .
To give care for nanus mondo grass as a lawn sess alternative , mow the grass once a twelvemonth in early spring or late wintertime . To prevent flora damage , set the mower to its highest height setting .
Like all variety of mondo grass , the dwarf cultivar is also relativelyresistant to light drought menstruum .
Dwarf mondo grass propagation
To propagate dwarf mondo grass , divide the chunk of blade . Dig up some well - established dwarf mondo tufts and slew the small plant into two or three pieces . Plant the divided plants 2 ” and 4 ” ( 5 – 10 centimeter ) apart wherever you need evergreen footing cover in your yard .
Growing dwarf mondo grass from seeds
employ seed for growing dwarf mondo grass by harvesting them from the berries in late October or other November . Place in a roll of fond water for two days . Then , plant the mondo Mary Jane seeds about 0.4 ” ( 1 cm ) late in sterile potting soil . Mist the dirt to wash it , pass over with a shaping travelling bag , and put in a nerveless , saturnine place . Keep the stain moist . The young plant should be ready for implant in your garden the following springiness .
Variegated Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon jaburan‘Vittatus’)
Variegated mondo grass has chicken and green foliage
Variegated mondo Gunter Wilhelm Grass has arching ribbon - corresponding blades with yellow and unripe variegation . The dense tussock of grass - like growing have unclothe leaves that grow between 12 ” and 24 ” ( 30 – 60 cm ) tall . As a spreading evergreen recurrent , vary mondo green goddess create a carpet of leaf for shaded or gay gardens .
Due to its resemblance to lilyturf , motley mondo grass is erroneously called monkey grass . However , this metal money , Ophiopogon jaburan , is not in the genusLiriope .
Grow motley mondo grass as shade ground cover where other ground cover plant wo n’t grow . This metal money ofOphiopogonis best grown as edging , under - planting shrubs , molding plants , or in rock garden . The lifelike yellow and idle green foliage colors are ideal for brightening up any garden landscape .
Diseases and Pests Affecting Mondo Grass
Slugsand snails are the most common garden pests affecting mondo skunk . You ’ll often receive escargot and bullet crawling through the grassy blades after rainfall . Signs that pests are affecting mondo grass emergence include wilt leaves and chewed blades . After any rain , you should stop the mondo Mary Jane and remove all snails and slug by mitt , or practice organic slug grampus pellets which hold smoothing iron phosphate as an dynamic constituent .
origin rot is the most common disease to affect mondo grass maturation . antecedent bulge out to rot when the solid ground is overly damp or waterlogged . The rootstalk roots can quick begin to decay and make the saturnine light-green smoke vane to rick chicken or chocolate-brown .
If you notice any signaling of ancestor decomposition , it ’s all important to hold off watering until the soil ’s top layer is dry . However , if the mondo grass is growing in a garden sphere where water tend to pool , you ’ll postulate to improve drainage . To help mondo grass develop better , you ’ll postulate to work compost into the land .
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