how tall does black mondo grass get

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How tall does mondo grass grow?

This is the type you’ll come to expect when you hear Mondo Grass – Ophiopogon Japonicus is the most common type of this grass. It has an average height of 6 to 10 inches but has been known to be as tall as 12 inches. The great thing about this species is that it grows upwards of 15 inches wide per plant.

What is the scientific name of black mondo grass?

Overview Scientific Name: Ophiopogon planiscapus Common Name (s): Black mondo grass, lilyturf, monkey gras ... Family: Asparagaceae Height & Spread: 8-12″ tall, 12-24″ wide Sun: Full to partial sun depending on placeme ... 3 more rows ...

Should I put black mondo grass in my garden?

A: Honestly? Don’t. Just add a half-inch to an inch of compost around the base of the plants in the spring. That’s all the nutrition they need. Once dark and foreboding in aura, by now you know better. Black mondo grass, like its lighter cousins, doesn’t have to be a ghoulish delight.

How quickly does black mondo grass grow?

Black mondo grass is slow-growing and even slower to germinate, taking up to three months or to more to sprout from seed. It's best to plant it in spring to ensure solid establishment before the first winter.

How does black mondo grass spread?

The best way to propagate this plant is through division. As the plant matures, usually in a couple of years, it will send out rhizomes that will form little baby plants. Divide these away from the parent in spring. Or just let them continue growing to produce a thick carpet of lush black foliage.

Is black mondo grass invasive?

Black mondo has invasive properties and may damage other plant species around it if the weather is extremely conducive to its growth. But, aggressive growth is unusual.

Does black mondo grass like sun or shade?

Outstanding fine textured color in containers. Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil - weekly, or more often. Thrives in humus-rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Takes cool sun; needs bright shade in hot climates.

Why is black grass a problem?

Black-grass, Alopecurus myosuroides, can seriously reduce crop yields through competition for nutrients, especially nitrogen. Although on an individual plant basis black-grass is only moderately competitive, very high populations can occur (many hundreds of plants/m2) which can reduce yield by >70% in serious cases.

Should black mondo grass be cut back?

Mondo Grass does not require pruning though you can give it an annual pruning or mowing in late winter, before new spring growth begins to emerge.

Does mondo grass need mowing?

An easy-to-grow, attractive groundcover, mondo grass is especially useful as a turf alternative in shade gardens. Its grass-like foliage forms dense tufts that slowly spread over time and require no mowing.

Will black mondo grass survive winter?

As the grass grows, it has a light green color that fades to black as the growing season progresses. This variety of mondo grass is resilient to the cold and will last through the winter without any issues.

Can you walk on mondo grass?

Dwarf mondo grass can tolerate being walked on every now and then, but regular foot traffic will destroy it. If you'll need to walk through an area planted with mondo grass, install stepping stones or another type of path. The plant is moderately pet-friendly.

How do you keep black mondo grass black?

Keep It Alive Plant black mondo grass in rich, well-draining soil, and space 3″ apart for a quicker spread if using as a ground cover. Sun is a conflicting issue. In hot areas plant in part sun, in Northern climates plant in full sun. Tip: too much shade fades its notable blackness.

Where should I plant black grass?

It prefers the slightly acidic, fertile, humus-rich soil typical of shady woodland areas. Choose a spot in full sun or partial shade. The black foliage varieties will darken more in a sunny location.

What goes with black mondo grass?

A classic pairing for black Mondo grass are plants with yellow or chartreuse leaves. Some good choices include the ornamental blue fescue grass (Festucs flauca) for sunny or partially shaded areas in USDA zones 1 through 10, which will grow slightly taller than the mondo grass.

How long does it take mondo grass to spread?

Standard mondo grass reaches a mature spread up to 1 foot wide within a year or two, but dwarf mondo grass needs two to three years under ideal conditions to reach its spread of 3 to 4 inches.

How do you keep mondo grass from spreading?

Digging the monkey grass will get the roots and will keep the spreading nature under control. Use a spade or shovel to dig down around the liriope. Till the area around the removed plants and over the ground with plastic or newspaper to help choke out further growth.

How do you divide black mondo grass?

1:262:51Dividing Black Mondo Grass - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey're bold like swollen roots. This is very easy I can transplant this to create a new head twoMoreThey're bold like swollen roots. This is very easy I can transplant this to create a new head two black mondo grass or I can simply pop. It into a pot. Right here add a little bit of soil.

How far apart do I plant mondo grass?

Dwarf Mondo grass requires 3-4 inch spacing and the larger growing species need a spacing of 5-6 inches. If you use more plants, the area will get covered faster. You can separate the individual plants from the clump and they can be planted in the soil with the root covered completely in the soil.

How tall is black mondo grass?

The plants are about 6 inches tall. In South Carolina, black mondo grass should be planted in partial shade. Cultivars ‘Nigrescens’ and ‘Ebony Knight’ do not differ very much. O. jaburan is coarser than O. japonicus, with light purple to white flowers.

What is mondo grass used for?

Landscape Use. Mondo grass is primarily used as groundcover. It is also attractive as a border along paths, between stepping stones or flowerbed and lawn, or in rock gardens. It grows well along streams and around garden ponds. Mondo grass competes well with the roots of other plants.

What is monkey grass?

Mondo grass, also known as monkey grass ( Ophiopogon japonicus ), is an evergreen, sod-forming perennial. The scientific name is derived from ophis = snake, and pogon = beard, most probably referring to the flower spike.

What is the color of the leaves on a Vittatus?

The cultivars ‘Aureovariegatus,’ ‘Variegatus’ and ‘Vittatus’ have longitudinally striped leaves with white or yellow and green stripes. The variable variegated foliage usually makes it difficult to distinguish one cultivar from another.

How tall are lilacs?

Plants are tufted, grass-like and 8 to 16 inches high. The ½-inch leaves are dark green and fine to medium in texture. They are erect to arching, smooth and grass-like. The flowers are usually white or white tinged with lilac. Flowering and fruiting occur from July through September.

Can oleander scale be found in mondo grass?

False oleander scale may infest and damage mondo grass. This armored scale is best controlled by late winter shearing and disposal of the trimmed foliage. Additionally, sprays with a 2% solution of horticultural oil can aid in control of these armored scales.

Does moondo grass grow in the shade?

Mondo grass grows well in ordinary garden soil, requiring minimum attention once established. Plants thrive in filtered sun to full shade and prefer moist soil. The foliage is usually light green when plants are grown in filtered sun. Plants growing in the shade have dark green leaves.

How tall is mondo grass?

Mondo grass grows between 10” and 14” (25 – 35 cm) tall and spreads up to 2 ft. (0.6 m) wide. The dense growth habit and robust root system mean that mondo grass is ideal for suppressing weeds. Although you can walk on mondo grass, it’s not a type of grass for heavy foot traffic.

What is a black mondo grass?

Black mondo grass is an ideal plant for adding some drama to your garden. The black grass-like blades are 8” to 12” (20 – 30 cm) long and spread out to create a dense black ground cover. Like all mondo grass varieties, this black variety is an evergreen durable garden plant that grows in sun or shade.

What is the best grass to grow in a rock garden?

Grow variegated mondo grass as shade ground cover where other ground cover plants won’t grow. This species of Ophiopogon is best grown as edging, under-planting shrubs, border plants, or in rock gardens. The vivid yellow and light green foliage colors are ideal for brightening up any garden landscape.

How to propagate mondo grass?

Root division is the easiest way to propagate mondo grass. Use a garden fork to lift clumps of mondo grass from the ground. Separate the tufts into two using a sharp knife or shovel. Replant the mondo grass tufts wherever you need attractive grasses in your garden landscape.

What is the name of the grass that looks like a monkey grass?

It’s easy to mistake mondo grass for a similar-looking plant commonly called monkey grass or lilyturf. Lilyturf ( Liriope) looks similar to mondo grass – it is a clumping plant with arching grass-like blades. Generally, lilyturf species go by the common names of monkey grass, creeping liriope, and spider grass.

What is the best grass to use instead of turf grass?

Mondo grass ( Ophiopogon) is a robust, low-growing leafy plant that is an excellent substitute for turfgrass. The benefits of planting mondo grass are that it’s low-maintenance, grows in the shade, doesn’t take over gardens, and stays green all year long. The other varieties of mondo grass include black mondo grass, dwarf mondo grass, ...

Why is my mondo grass turning yellow?

Roots start to rot when the ground is overly damp or waterlogged. The rhizome roots can quickly begin to decay and cause the dark green grass blades to turn yellow or brown.

What is black moono grass?

Black Mondo Grass is a plant for our fun and funky customers looking for something completely different! It is a cool complement to Black Elephant Ears or Black Diamond Crape Myrtles if you have a real taste for the depth and richness of gothic landscaping! This grass-like perennial has pretty white-lavender flowers during the summer months and lovely deep purple berries in fall. Dwarf Black Mondo Grass is resistant to pests and disease, low maintenance, and can be grown almost anywhere in the US. Growing to about 8 inches tall and up to 12 inches wide, Black Mondo Grass is a distinctive addition to any landscape!

Why is my ornamental grass wilting?

This ornamental grass may become discolored and get root rot if the soil isnt well drained and it is being overwatered. This grass is susceptible to damage from snails and slugs that will cause it to wilt.

Is Mondo grass evergreen?

Special Note: Mondo grass is evergreen in warmer zones and/or warmer winters. Color will be deepest with a touch of shade in hot climates. For additional options, be sure to browse our Pink Muhly Grass , Ornamental Grasses and Miscanthus Maiden Grass collection.

What is the color of Aztec grass?

Silvery-white edges fade into a vivid, dark green leaf. The flowers for these are white, but also morph into a deep purple-colored inedible berry as they fade. These are sometimes confused with Ophiopogon intermedius, called Aztec grass. But Aztec grass grows to 12-24″ in height, where these stay closer to the ground.

Why are my mondo leaves turning brown?

Root rot can cause yellowing and browning of mondo leaves. Source: happy via

What is the best creepy ground cover for a goth garden?

Black mondo grass is the ideal creepy ground cover. But it also looks amazing even outside of a goth’s garden! Also known as Ophiopogon planiscapus, this drought-tolerant plant isn’t technically a grass. It’s part of the same plant family as asparagus, in fact. Hovering within eight inches of the ground, it can form a darker contrast ...

What is the color of the ophiopogon planiscapus?

Some varieties of Ophiopogon planiscapus remain green with paler edge stripes. Source: Starr

What is a light green plant?

The centers of the leaves remain a dark green hue. Lighter plants are often called lilyturf, a name often used for Liriope species as well. Forming tight, matted clumps in its bed, this grasslike perennial grows in zones 6-10. It provides year-round color in those zones.

How tall does a sage plant grow?

This lowlying plant grows to 8-12″ in height. Source: brewbooks

How tall is a sage?

Only reaching a height of 2-3″ tall, it makes a beautiful miniature form and is often used in fairy gardens. This species tends to stay deep green in coloration. Its blooms are white to lavender.

How tall does black moondo grass grow?

Black Mondo Grass is considered a rare type due to its dark leaves. It can grow to 10 inches high and blooms in the summer months. You should expect the leaves to start out with a green color and turn to its dark shade once it’s more established.

What is mondo grass?

Mondo Grass Lawns. This type of plant has many uses. While often times people use mondo grass as an accent piece in many different types of garden arrangements, their use goes far beyond simply that. As this plant is incredibly resilient, they make a very good ground cover for large areas too.

What is the most common type of Mondo grass?

This is the type you’ll come to expect when you hear Mondo Grass – Ophiopogon Japonicus is the most common type of this grass.

How to propagate Mondo grass?

Mondo Grass is one of the easier plants to grow and propagate. This can be done by purchasing seeds or pre-grown plants from your local plant store. The biggest task you’ll have is keeping weeds from overtaking the area you’re planting in. A key way to combat this is by using straw or wood mulch in the areas directly surrounding your plants.

How many types of mondo grass are there?

There are 4 main types of Mondo Grass you should be aware of including:

What zone does moondo grass grow in?

It is important to note that Mondo grass really only grows well in USDA zones 7 – 11.

What is the best zone for mono grass?

For this reason, it is an ideal plant to grow in areas that are difficult to reach such as along steep slopes, flower beds and under trees. It is important to note that Mondo grass really only grows well in USDA zones 7 – 11.

How big does mondo grass grow?

Imagine great grassy tussocks shrunk down to fairyland size, and you can envision mondo grass. These small plants grow only 6 to 10 inches tall (15-25 cm.) and have a clumping or mounding nature depending upon variety. Ophiopogon japonicus is the scientific name and refers to the plant’s native region of Asia.

What is mondo grass?

Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Printer Friendly Version. Image by vblinov. Mondo grass is also known as monkey grass. It is an evergreen perennial that makes a great groundcover or standalone grass-like plant. These plants perform well in almost any soil and lighting condition.

Is mondo grass a problem?

Any mondo grass information should list its pest and disease issues. Snails and slugs may be a problem, as can scale. Disease issues are fungal and form during wet, warm periods. Serious damage by any of these is unlikely.

Can mondo grass be divided?

These plants perform well in almost any soil and lighting condition. Mondo grass is a slow growing plant that can be easily propagated by division and requires minimal care once established. A truly attractive and outstanding landscape plant with a multitude of uses, it is well worth the gardener’s time to learn how to grow mondo grass.

Is it easy to grow mondo grass?

Growing mondo grass is easy, as the plant withstands neglect in regions where plentiful moisture is naturally available. Once established, you can pretty much forget about the plant unless you want to go check out its seasonal beauty, or it is time to divide it.

What is the color of the mondo grass?

It’s best known for the purplish-black color of its leaves, but the pink flowers it produces are an added benefit. It’s also larger than the other common mondo grass varieties, growing up to 12 inches high and 12 to 24 inches across.

How big does dwarf mondo grass get?

Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon Japonicus ‘Nanus’) – This small variety grows between 4 to 6 inches tall and around 8 inches wide. It puts out white or lavender flowers and blue berries. Beyond its size and flower color, it’s otherwise similar to standard mondo grass.

What is the best grass to use for a border?

If you’re looking for an eye-catching species to use as a border, lawn alternative, or specimen plant, mondo grass is an excellent candidate. Also known as monkey grass or lilyturf, this plant’s lush profusion of grass-like leaves, as well as its graceful flowers and colorful berries make it popular for a variety of uses.

Is mondo grass good for a coastal garden?

All mondo grass varieties have good salt tolerance, allowing them to thrive in coastal gardens. Because the plant does well in the shade of trees and deer tend to avoid it, it’s a good pick for gardens in forested areas.

Is dwarf mondo grass good for grass?

Mondo grass owes a large part of its popularity to the variety of ways it can be used. For dwarf mondo grass, groundcover is the most common use. It’s an ideal lawn alternative if you want lush green grounds without the hassle of maintaining turf grass. Once a few plants are in place, they spread to create a lawn-like cover. This variety is a notoriously slow grower, though, so your lawn will take a few years to fill in.

Is moondo grass prone to disease?

Mondo grass isn’t especially prone to pests or disease, but watch out for slugs and snails in damp, cool periods and fungal infections in damp, warm periods. Root rot, caused by the pathogen Pythium splendens, is one of the most common problems and brown leaf tips are usually the first sign. You might also notice the top of the plant is easy to pull away from the roots. To treat the condition, apply a fungicide formulated for this pathogen and topdress the soil with organic matter.

Can mondo grass grow under trees?

It’s perfect for areas of deep shade and can even grow under black walnut trees. It’s also well suited to slopes where grass doesn’t grow well. Mondo grass is a traditional groundcover in Japanese gardens, where it’s planted around stepping stones and statues, under trees, and in flowing shapes around gravel beds.

Description

Landscape Use

Cultivation

Cultivars

Related Species

• Black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus) is an interesting introduction from England. The dark purple leaves appear almost black. The plants are about 6 inches tall. In South Carolina, black mondo grass should be planted in partial shade. Cultivars ‘Nigrescens’ and ‘Ebony Knight’ do not differ very much. O. jaburan is coarser than O. japonicus, w...

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