Mondo Grass
OPHIOPOGON (Mondograss) Ophiopogon japonicus (oh-fee-oh-POE-gon ja-PON-eh-cus)
Evergreen – Shade/Part Shade
Height 8″–10″ groundcover Spacing 9″
HABIT: Low-growing, grasslike groundcover. Grows in clumps but spreads by rhizomes to form solid mass.
CULTURE: Best in shade or partial shade but will grow in sun. Needs even moisture and regular fertilization. Mow down once a year in late winter just before the new growth breaks.
USES: Low groundcover for small to medium size areas.
PROBLEMS: Nematodes, rabbits.
NOTES:
Also called mondograss and sometimes monkey grass. A dwarf form,
O. japonicus
‘Nana,’ is very compact, dark green, and slow-growing. It should be planted at least 6″ on center. A black form exists that is expensive and extremely slow-growing. Native to Japan and Korea.
