General information about Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass):
A reliable, hardy
with thin blade-like foliage in a dark shade of green, Ophiopogon, often referred to as Lily Turf or Mondo Grass is an excellent ground cover for
areas where other plants refuse to grow.
Gardeners love Mondo Grass for reliable texture, color and structure in rock gardens, between
between pavers or stepping stones,
plantings and as
borders and edging
for beds and walkways, around shaded pools and even garden statues because it requires no mowing and offers elegance, structure and definition to any area.
Where runoff is a problem, its dense mat of roots is exceptional at holding the ground up,
The depth of color contrasts beautifully with the lighter green of a lawn or the grey hues of garden ornaments and works wonderfully as an evergreen in planters where seasonal annuals provide pops of vibrant color.
If you love to play with shape and design, you will absolutely adore this lush, ornamental grass that creates a dense evergreen ground cover.
The deep emerald green leaf blades (1/8 inch wide) form in clumps that need no mowing and will tolerate
making them a perfect
that thrives in
In the summer there are insignificant
and in fall, bright blue berries will beckon
One of the all-time favorite effortless grasses, Ophiopogon caresses gardens with color and richness.
Things to Note
Our Mondo grasses produce fruit that will drive
crazy with delight.
If you are a birder, this plant is a must have for attracting a variety of species.
Consider planting clumps of Mondo in year round planters adding forced tulips in early spring,
in summer and autumn, and sprigs of evergreen bows and berries in winter for continual curb appeal.
Why all the confusion about the common names?
In 1763, the French botanist Michael Adanson described a plant (probably Liriope) that he called Mondo, which remains a common name today.
A few years later, Carl Peter Thunberg described a plant, which he named Convallaria japonica.
This species is now known as Ophiopogon japonicus.
A decade later, Portugese botanist Joao de Loureiro described and named the plant we now know as Liriope muscari.
Nearly 100 years later Joseph Decaisne described the same species as Ophiopogon muscari.
Over time there have been numerous discussions regarding these plants and the proper botanical names for them.
Today, both Liriope and Ophiopogon are treated as distinct genera.
In addition to sharing the name Mondo, the plants are also interchangably called Lilyturf and Monkey Grass.
09/22/2016 I ordered bare root to fill a large border. Solid well developed stock. No mortality after planting. Plan to use more next year if these grow as billed. Another great product from classy.
09/13/2016 The plants were all healthy, good value for the money.,
08/17/2016 Received a bundle of at least 50 plants, as advertised. The plants were healthy and easy to plant, but they are VERY small. It would probably be much cheaper to go to Home Depot and buy one or two full sized plants, wash off the roots and split... Read full review >
05/31/2016 Received the Mondo Grass in good shape and planted them. They are of course very new but all plants have survived and look as though they will thrive in a very difficult area that I have struggled with for years, in the shade under Oak trees.
04/22/2016 Was unsure about ordering bare root plants but I have to say they were easy to plant and are doing just great. The plants arrived exactly when expected. I opened the box and they were still damp and in very good shape. I planted them the next... Read full review >