Does dwarf mondo grass spread around?
Mondo grass is an evergreen perennial that is an excellent groundcover but does dwarf mondo grass spread around like the common one. Does Mondo Grass Spread? Dwarf mond o grass – Ophiopogan japonicus is a hardy grassy plant. This grass is known to grow fast or slow depending on its environment.
Is mondo grass drought-tolerant?
The tiny plants fit well into small gaps between rocks. And they don’t grow tall enough to get in the way of people strolling down paths. Dwarf mondo grass is drought-tolerant and may not need to be watered at all except in hot, dry weather.
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 ...
How late can you plant mondo grass?
The best time to plant dwarf mondo grass is in early spring after the last frost. You may plant as late as early fall, however. Just give the plants time to get well-rooted before cold weather. You can probably skip the fertilizing when it comes to dwarf mondo grass.
Does dwarf mondo grass 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.
What is the difference between mondo grass and dwarf mondo grass?
Dwarf Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon Japonicus 'Nanus') This is a specialized type of Mondo Grass. It grows to only around half the size of the other species in this family (around 2 – 4 inches). Dwarf Mondo Grass will have more slender leaves that give it a more petite look.
Is mondo grass a good ground cover?
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.
Does dwarf mondo grass need to be mowed?
Mondo grass lawns need no mowing, tolerate pretty deep shade and are very drought resistant. Mondo grass is also used to fill in areas between pavers and stepping stones. The dwarf varieties—named versions of O. japonicas that range in height from a tidy two to four inches—are especially good at this.
What happens to mondo grass in 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. Short, dark green foliage, tiny, white flowers turn to blue berries in fall, spreads by stolons.
Does mondo grass tolerate foot traffic?
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.
Will mondo grass choke out grass?
It is an aggressive spreader and should only be used in areas that need full coverage, as it will choke out other plants. Of the Ophiopogon genus, the monkey grass most commonly used is O. japonicus, or mondo grass, with fine, dark colored leaves that thrive in shaded areas.
Does mondo grass attract bugs?
Preparing to Plant You can plant dwarf mondo grass in almost any well-drained soil type. It does not require much sunlight, water, or fertilizer and attracts few pests. It does not do well with a lot of foot traffic, however.
Does mondo grass stay green in the winter?
Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) is a small-growing foliage plant with thin, long green blades. This grass-like plant is a tough ground-cover plant with dense, compact growth. The evergreen perennial landscaping plant helps keep a carpet of greenery in gardens through all the seasons.
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.
What is the best time to plant mondo grass?
Best in early spring, but can be planted in the summer through early fall so that the plugs can root in before winter sets in.
How do you control mondo grass?
If you want to get rid of monkey grass, the only way to control it is to use a product that contains glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-Up. Be careful spraying Round-Up in your lawn as it is a non-selective herbicide and will kill both the Liriope and your desired grass.
What is the smallest mondo grass?
As the name suggests, Mini Mondo Grass is a dwarf or mini form of Mondo grass, with an overall height of 10 to 15 cm tall. It is an evergreen plant that spreads by underground rhizomes. It is a very tough plant that has a high drought and cold tolerance.
Are liriope and mondo grass the same?
Are Liriope and monkey grass the same? In so far as 'monkey grass' is often the terminology used for liriope, then yes, which is confusing since mondo grass is also called 'monkey grass' and yet liriope and mondo grass are not the same at all. In fact, they aren't even grasses. Both are members of the Lily family.
Does mondo grass like sun or 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.
Does mondo grass stay green all year?
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.
Does dwarf mondo grass multiply?
Yes, it will multiply. It's a fast-growing perennial that spreads by runners. It can get quite large in a very short time, especially if it gets lo...
Is dwarf mondo grass invasive?
Mondo grass is a perennial grass that can grow up to three feet tall. It has been classified as an invasive species. Mondo grass has invaded many p...
How wide does mini mondo grass grow?
Mini Mondo Grass grows about 8 inches high and 8 to 10 inches wide. The grass can be cut regularly and reseeded, but the grass will not grow back o...
Does mondo grass like sun or shade?
It loves sunny spots.
How often should you water mondo grass?
Mondo grass can be kept in a pot or in the ground and needs to be watered at least once a week. You should water it before the first real frost. Th...
How do you plant Mondo Grass?
The process of planting mondo grass is very similar to that of a regular lawn. To plant mondo grass, you will need to dig a hole big enough for the...
What is dwarf mondo grass?
Dwarf mondo grass is clumping grass as opposed to the normal carpeting grass. Due to its type, it will only spread as wide as its mature growth. This dwarf type – “Gyoku-Ryu” (Ophiopogon japonicas), a large dwarf mondo cultivar, spreads as far as the standard varieties at maturity. It thrives in USDA zones 7 through 10.
Why is moondo grass considered invasive?
Mondo grass is described as invasive because it is hard to control its spread or get rid of it. In many southern states, Mondo grass is considered invasive and grows through turf lawns and gardens.
Is Dwarf Mondo Grass Expensive?
Generally, Mondo grass has become very expensive. 4-inch pots are selling for $7 to $8 each. This is a general price for all Mondo grass including the dwarf type.
How to grow dwarf grass?
Use your hands or a sharp knife to break the clump into smaller pieces. Plant the dwarf grass clumps in the spots you would like them to grow in. Water them thoroughly for the first few weeks until they are established .
What is monkey grass?
Mondo grass, generally known as monkey grass performs well on almost any soil and lighting condition.
Is mondo grass a perennial?
Mondo grass is an evergreen perennial that is an excellent groundcover but does dwarf mondo grass spread around like the common one.
Can dwarf moondo grass be destroyed?
Dwarf Mondo grass withstands foot traffic but too much will destroy it . You will need to use a stepping-stone if you want to create a walkway where you are growing Mondo grass.
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.
Where does the term "mondo grass" come from?
The term “mondo grass” refers to several species of evergreen perennial groundcovers native to Southeast Asia. Although they look like grasses, they’re actually members of the lily family (Liliaceae) or, in some more recent classifications, members of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). The plant grows in clumps and spreads by sending out underground stolons (runners) and rhizomes (tuberous roots), but you can also propagate it by division.
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.
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.
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.
How to grow non invasive grass?
Non-invasive grass is relatively easy to grow once you get the plant established. Choose plants that grow well for your garden conditions. Consider the amount of light your yard receives and match up the USDA hardiness zone of the plant to your area.
How to tell if grass is invasive?
It’s essential to determine if the grass is invasive before purchasing it from the garden center. Inspect the stems of the potted plant for shape and growth. Stems that form a small and dense clump are considered clumping grass.
How tall does switch grass grow?
This easy-to-grow grass grows 3 to 6 feet tall with a 2 to 3-foot spread.
What grass attracts birds?
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) – Tough Non Invasive Grasses that Attracts Birds to the Yard. (vaivirga/123rf.com) Switchgrass is one of the native cool season grasses in North America that provides seeds for the birds during the winter.
What is Chinese silver grass?
Also called maiden grass, Chinese silver grass grows in an upright and arching habit and produces attractive pink feather blooms that turn silver as they mature.
What is the best grass for a rock garden?
Blue fescue is the ideal grass for growing in gardens and yards that don’t have a lot of room. This small grass has icy blue fine-textured foliage, pale yellow flowers, and a low growing habit of rounded mounds. It looks great as an accent plant or mass plantings throughout a rock garden.
How big does Feather Reed grass get?
Feather reed grass has a mature size of 4 to 6 feet in height and 2 to 3 feet wide and prefers full or filtered sun.
What is a dwarf ophiopogon?
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus'. This dwarf variety, only half the size of others, creates a lush groundcover of dense, dark green, grass-like clumps. Excellent as an edging plant or tucked into rocks for a pleasing contrast.
What is a Japanese groundcover?
It is the traditional groundcover of the Japanese garden, planted at the base of pagoda lights and stone basins. A fine groundcover that stays small, it's perfect for entry gardens, courtyards and atriums. Very good as an edge plant for water gardens or arranged around the base of fountains.
Where does mondo grass grow?
Native to the woodlands of Japan and Korea, mondo grass grows best and reaches its full spread within a few years in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 11. In cooler areas, its roots need plenty of protection from low temperatures.
How long does it take for mondo grass to grow?
Growth Rates. 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.
Is dwarf mondo grass hardy?
Dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogan japonicus) is a hardy grasslike plant, but just how fast it spreads depends on its environment. The amount of sun it gets each day, the type of soil where it's planted, how often you water and how often you fertilize affect its growth rate. Mondo grass is usually a fast spreader once it is established, ...
Why are my mondo leaves turning brown?
Root rot can cause yellowing and browning of mondo leaves. Source: happy via
What is the color of the ophiopogon planiscapus?
Some varieties of Ophiopogon planiscapus remain green with paler edge stripes. Source: Starr
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 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.
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.
Is asparagus a Halloween plant?
Hovering within eight inches of the ground, it can form a darker contrast to a bright floral display. For dramatic flair, it can’t be beat. It’s not just a plant for Halloween anymore. This ghoulish garden-dweller can also be a glorious bedding plant.
Is ophiopogon a mondo grass?
Ophiopogon is a large genus. There’s quite a few related plants to mondo grass. While we’re focusing on Ophiopogon planiscapus today, don’t rule out its cousins! I’ll mention two which have similar growth habits and tendencies to mondo grass.