Here are some more useful tips for planting monkey grass:
- Monkey grass grows well in USDA zones 5 through 10
- Plant monkey grass in sandy, loamy, or well-draining clay soil
- Lilyturf plants prefer slightly acidic soil
- The best growing advice is to prevent the rhizome roots from standing in soggy soil
- Monkey grass leaf color grows darker in shaded areas than in full sun
Does monkey grass need full sun to grow?
Monkey grass grows in shaded areas where other grass-like ground cover plants won’t grow. This creeping plant tolerates drought and full sun and doesn’t require much maintenance. Monkey grass is a decorative grass substitute for growing as a border or edging plant, on slopes to prevent erosion, or under shrubs.
Can you plant monkey grass as a border plant?
Grow Monkey Grass as a Border Plant and Grass Edging Plant monkey grass (Liriope muscari) around beds and paths to create fluffy, evergreen edging. Space each tuft of monkey grass plant around 10” (25 cm) apart to allow the clumps of grass room to grow and spread.
What is monkey grass?
Monkey grass is a group of grass-like flowering plants in the genus Liriope and family Asparagaceae. This low, grass-like plant grows in clumps or as a creeping plant. Monkey grass has long, slender, pointed green leaves and purple or white flowers. This spreading, clumping plant also produces purple or black berry-like fruits.
How to plant monkey grass in Zone 5?
1 Monkey grass grows well in USDA zones 5 through 10 2 Plant monkey grass in sandy, loamy, or well-draining clay soil 3 Lilyturf plants prefer slightly acidic soil 4 The best growing advice is to prevent the rhizome roots from standing in soggy soil 5 Monkey grass leaf color grows darker in shaded areas than in full sun
How quickly does monkey 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.
When should you plant monkey grass?
The best time for transplanting monkey grass is the same as for most perennials – when the plant is dormant. Typically this would be in the beginning of the spring before new growth starts. It is easily moved, though, and can be transplanted right through mid summer.
Does monkey grass live all year?
across. This evergreen groundcover blooms from July to August with white, pink, or purple hued blooms. These spiked blossoms provide a showy contrast against the green foliage and are followed by clusters of black fruit. Monkey grass uses for L.
Will monkey grass grow in full sun?
Some prefer full sun, while others are better suited to shade. Some clump, and others creep. All monkey grasses fall into one of two groups: the genuses Liriope or Ophiopogon. In general, all liriopes do well in filtered sun to full shade and aren't picky about soil.
Does monkey grass need a lot of water?
Monkey grass doesn't need much water to thrive in the garden, which is one of the reasons why it's such a drought-resistant plant. If you overwater the plant, and the soil does not drain the water away effectively, root rot will eventually show up in your monkey grass.
Will monkey grass choke out weeds?
Also, keep in mind that creeping liriope should only be used when you want a solid bed of nothing but liriope. It will tend to choke out any other plants.
Do mosquitoes like monkey grass?
Controlling or replacing English Ivy and Monkey Grass can also help you with mosquito issues, because most pest control companies will target these areas in your yard with spray. Mosquitos love to live in the moist shady environment provided by this very thick ground cover.
What kills monkey grass permanently?
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.
Does monkey grass turn brown in winter?
One reason monkey grass is so popular in landscapes is because it's tough. It begins to turn brown around the tips and edges this time of year and can look pretty bad by the end of winter, but it sprouts new growth in the spring. You can mow the plants down, or clip them close to the ground.
Is monkey grass poisonous to dogs?
This plant, also known as monkey grass, looks a lot like long grass and is found in many southern yards. Though it is part of the lily family, monkey grass is toxic to both cats and dogs. However, symptoms are minor and include stomachache and nausea/vomiting.
Is monkey grass invasive?
The spreading form is Liriope spicata and is quite invasive. You can dig up as much as you can and then watch what sprouts from remaining roots and spray those with a glyphosate product (Round-up). It will take a few seasons before you are monkey grass free.
Can monkey grass survive a freeze?
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 I plant monkey grass in the winter?
Replant monkey grass in the early spring before new growth. Monkey grass goes dormant during the winter months, if you live somewhere with cold winters. After the final thaw before spring, the plant comes out of dormancy. Right around this time is best for transplanting.
Can monkey grass survive a freeze?
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.
Does all monkey grass spread?
I have monkey grass in several areas of my garden, but I have to keep an eye on it, or it will spread everywhere. The perennial plant spreads by means of runners which are easy to transplant to other areas of the garden.
How close together do you plant monkey grass?
Space monkey grass seeds 12 inches apart, and they will grow together to form a solid mat.
How to grow monkey grass
You'll see a theme forming with monkey grass ... it's easy to grow. It does well in USDA zones 7 through 11 and its hardiness just necessitates that you water it occasionally. Since the plants grow well, you'll don't need much to start; just purchase monkey grass seeds or starter packs from your local nursery, advises Garden Beast.
How to care for monkey grass
Once again, you really have it made with monkey grass, as it doesn't need constant attention or fertilizer. Generally, once the grass is planted, you just let it grow. It does have a few natural enemies: slugs and snails like the foliage and will nibble on it. But they rarely harm the monkey grass.
Varieties of monkey grass
Monkey grass comes in several varieties, and there seems to be one for every need. Want a grass that thrives in the shade? Got that. Need heavy clumps of grass so no weeding is required? Check. Looking for something that creeps all over that empty plot in your backyard? Done.
Is monkey grass toxic?
Some believe that monkey grass is toxic to humans and animals. With the invasiveness of some of its varieties that choke out all other plants from the garden, it can seem that monkey grass is a plant not to grapple lightly with.
How to transplant monkey grass
Besides being one of the easiest plants to maintain in your garden, monkey grass also can save you money. That's right, the plant multiplies so well that essentially, you can create others of the perennial plant for no cost, said The Gardening Cook. All you need to do is dig up the runners and plant those in a more sparse part of your garden.
What is monkey grass?
"Monkey grass" is a common name heard most often in the South. It can refer to any of three different plants: one type of Ophiopogon (black mondo grass) and two types of Liriope.
How long does it take for black mondo grass to grow?
It makes for a great contrast with a plant like Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' . Black mondo grass is slow-growing and even slower to germinate, taking up to three months or to more to sprout from seed.
How to propagate black mondo grass?
Black mondo grass is propagated by dividing the fibrous roots in spring: Pry the plant clumps from the ground with a garden fork, then use your hands to tease apart groups of roots, dividing them into sections, each containing a few leaves.
What is a stemless plant?
It's a stemless plant on which the leaves sprout from the ground in clumps. In summer, a single flower stalk sprouts, carrying small, bell-shaped, pinkish flowers. This grass-like plant is often used as a ground cover for semi-shady areas, or in the front of a border or as an edging plant. It's common in rock gardens and valued for its unusual, ...
Is Black Mondo grass a grass?
Black Mondo Grass. Black mondo grass ( Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens') isn't a true grass ; true grasses belong to the Poaceae family. Black mondo grass is, instead, a tuberous-rooted perennial in the lily family. It's a stemless plant on which the leaves sprout from the ground in clumps.
What is the most common type of monkey grass?
Ancha Chiangmai/Shutterstock. This is the most commonly planted variety of monkey grass. People also call it clumping liriope because of the way it grows in compact masses. It is a low-growing flowering plant with typically dark green leaves from one to two feet high.
What is monkey grass?
Monkey grass is a common name for two kinds of ornamental grass that look similar but are actually different types of plants. 1. Liriope. Liriope muscari (aka Monkey Grass) Liriope spicata (aka Lilyturf) 2. Mondo/Dwart Grass. Dwarf mondo grass, or ophiopogon japonicus, is also called Monkey Grass.
What is the difference between monkey grass and liriope?
But while it looks similar, there are differences. Dwarf monkey grass is shorter and has finer leaves than liriope.
Why use Liriope grass?
There are many reasons to use Liriope, but gardeners typically like that it: Flourishes in deep shade where other grass won’t. Stands up to foot traffic, pets, and shallow soil. Grows well in most areas, even in standing water.
Is monkey grass a good plant for a garden?
Monkey Grass: A Versatile Plant for Homes. If you’re looking for a plant to use as a ground cover or simply want a unique addition to your garden, you should consider monkey grass. This hardy evergreen plant requires little care and looks great. Read on to learn more.
Can you use a chemical blend on Bermuda grass?
That means you can’t use chemical blends designed to simultaneously weed and feed lawns of Bermuda or St. Augustine. The herbicides in these products can damage or kill the liriope.
Is liriope grass a grass?
Water the fertilizer in to protect foliage. To control weeds, it’s best to hand-pull the offending invaders. While liriope is called monkey grass, it’s not actually a grass. It’s from the lily family.
Shaded Planting Area
Before considering how to plant your monkey grass, you must decide where you are going to plant it.
Pull Any Weeds in Planting Area
Once you have chosen the spot where you want to plant your monkey grass, pull out any weeds you see. Weeds grow very similarly to monkey grass, so you do not want your monkey grass to struggle to find nutrients while it is growing.
Till And Rake the Planting Area
After cleaning out the visible obstacles in your area, you need to till or spade the soil. Doing so provides several advantages:
Fertilize The Soil
When your soil is nice and loosened up, you are almost ready to dig the holes for your monkey grass.
Dig Your Holes
Now, you are ready to dig the holes for your money grass plants. Some of the soil might already be dug up from prior preparation, so you should not have too much trouble breaking up more soil.
Plant Seeds Or Young Plants
Next, place your monkey grass in the holes. You may have new seeds or seedlings that are already grown and are young monkey grass plants. No matter which one you have, make sure you give your monkey grass enough room to grow.
Fill The Hole
As with any other gardening project, after you have planted the monkey grass in the holes, fill the holes with the dug-up soil.
Why is monkey grass so common?
Monkey grass is common in areas that are hilly or uneven because they fill in the area quite nicely. It comes in thick and is quite easy to grow. So easy that pruning may be necessary. Click here for pruning tips.
Is monkey grass hardy?
For the most part, monkey grass is a hardy plant. But, despite the fact that monkey grass is able to take a lot of abuse, it is still susceptible to disease. One in particular is crown rot. Click here to learn more.
How to transplant monkey grass?
Since monkey grass spreads its roots and grows out from where you originally plant it, it’s perfect for transplanting. Dig up chunks of the plant, including the roots, and replant them in shady areas. Plant multiple clumps of grass far enough apart that they can spread out. Steps.
When does monkey grass go dormant?
Monkey grass goes dormant during the winter months, if you live somewhere with cold winters. After the final thaw before spring, the plant comes out of dormancy. Right around this time is best for transplanting. If you don’t have any monkey grass growing yet, plant seeds to start your monkey grass growth. 2.
Do monkey grasses need fertilizer?
Monkey grass is hardy, so it doesn’t need much in the way of fertilizer. If you want to spur its healthy growth at the start of the year, apply a long term, balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer that’s formulated to release slowly. The fertilizer you’ll want is labelled as “slow-release.”. 4.
Can you leave monkey grass in the ground?
This gives the monkey grass room to expand. As long as you pull most of the weed out, the root system will break up more when you turn the soil over. It’s okay to leave actual plants in the area, because monkey grass grows well alongside other plants. Chop up the soil to loosen it.
What is the most common type of monkey grass?
There are quite a few types of monkey grass belonging to one of two genera: Liriope or Ophiopogon . Of these varieties, the most commonly used is L. muscari, which is a clumping form. L. spicata, or creeping liriope, is best used in difficult areas such as on hillsides.
What is monkey 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.
How tall does a monkey grass plant grow?
How to Use Monkey Grass. Most liriope grows to 10-18 inches (25 -46 cm.) in height, although the clumping type spreads to 12-18 inches (30-46 cm.) across. This evergreen groundcover blooms from July to August with white, pink, or purple hued blooms.
Is liriope the same as monkey grass?
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.
Is monkey grass a common name?
Rather confusingly, monkey grass is actually the common name for two different species. Yes, things could get a little muddled here, so keep reading to learn about the different types of monkey grass and how to use monkey grass in the landscape.
Can monkey grass be used as a ground cover?
Due to its rapacious spreading habit, monkey grass uses for L. spicata are generally restricted to use as a ground cover in areas where maximum coverage is desired. Dwarf mondo grass is most often used as a replacement for turf grass, but may also be grown in containers or used as a stand-alone plant.
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