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    • Photo of Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus' foliage by plant lust

    Photo by plant lust

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

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    Buy Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus'

    Also Known As

    • Ophiopogon japonica 'Nana'
    • Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana'
    • Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanum'
    • Dwarf Mondo Grass
    • Dwarf Mondo Grass ~ Green

    Plant type

    perennial, groundcover, grass / grass like

    size

    • H: 2"-8"
    • W: 6"-20"

    planting zones

    • 7a-10a

    3 inch pot | $14

    Ships USPS, based on weight/location

    44 at Secret Garden Growers

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    Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus' plant details

    Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus' is an evergreen perennial groundcover grass (or grassy in appearance) with green foliage. In spring lavender and white flowers emerge followed by purple fruit. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus'

    Plant type: perennial groundcover grass (or grassy in appearance)
    Plant family: asparagaceae, liliaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 6 IN - 20 IN - wide, 2 IN - 8 IN - tall
    Flowers: lavender and white blooms in spring
    Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, edging plant, lawn alternative, miniature, pathway, rock garden, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus'

    USDA Zones: 7a - 10a
    Sun exposure: sun - shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: acidic, average, rich and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This dwarf mondo is dark green with leaf blades that are 1/8 inch wide. It grows close to the ground in clumps and is ideal as a slow to moderately fast spreading ground cover. Short enough to use between pavers or along walkways, at the front of the border or in containers with miniature hostas.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    This tiny lily turf only gets 2”-3” tall and will slowly spread into cracks. In late summer brilliant blue pearls of fruit appear.

    By: Gossler Farms

    Only half the size of the species, this lovely mini forms 4-6" tall clumps of finely textured deep-green blades with (occasionally) purple summer flowers; lovely between rocks or as edger or groundcover. PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Tight buns of pretty, arching, deep green leaves create evergreen mounds eventually 6-8"h x 20"w – vibrant purple berries follow white or lavender flowers and are quite showy – Sun to part shade, most soils, maintenance free – long lived.

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’ features dwarf tufts of dark green, strap-like leaves which spread to form a dense mat. A tough, durable plant. Prefers cool, moist soil, but allow the top couple of inches to dry between waterings. Dwarf Mondo Grass makes a good lawn substitute. It’s also great for borders or mass planted as a groundcover. Tolerates varying amounts of foot traffic.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    Dwarf Mondo Grass resembles a tiny Liriope, forming 3-4" tall tufts of narrow green leaves. When used en masse the effect in the landscape can be charmingly geometric. This little Ophiopogon is a fun addition in troughs and miniature gardens. 4" pots

    By: Avant Gardens

    Clumps of dark grass-like green create a lush groundcover.

    By: Maples N More Nursery

    Perfect for the miniature garden. A favorite miniature grass that grows about 2" tall and slowly spreads on runners. If it's really happy, the tiniest, lavendar colored flowers in summer are followed by bright blue berries in the summer. Easy care, can be indoors or outdoors. Great color and texture. Small, lavendar colored blooms turn to blue berries. Cold hardy zones 7 - 10 to 0 °F. Heat hardy zones 12 - 1. Outdoor: part shade/full shade. Indoor: bright indirect light. Regular water let soil dry out to damp between watering.

    By: Two Green Thumbs Miniature Garden Center

    Very narrow strap-like leaves in tufts arching outward to about 3 inches x 3 inches. Could be described as a green head of hair! Tiny lily-like flowers in summer followed by shiny berries in fall. Rock gardens, troughs, containers, between pavers or use as a ground cover. SKY uses as companion plant in Bonsai. Spreads slowly. Likes sun to partial shade and moist, well drained soil. In hottest summer areas protect from direct overhead sun.

    By: Mini Forest By Sky

    Smaller than typical form- extremely low habit to about 4" tall. Only hardy in Zones 7-9.

    By: Fantastic Plants

    Short, very dark green, evergreen, grass-like foliage makes a dense clump or groundcover and needs almost no care. In hot areas it prefers some shade. It also works well as groundcover in containers beneath larger plants.

    By: Almost Eden

    From the Greek Ophis (Snake) and Pogon (Beard). A close botanical relative to Liriope and very similar in most aspects and applications. Generally is more of a shade lover and less tolerant of full, hot sun (morning sun ok). Mondo and Dwarf Mondo are often used as far North as Zone 5 even though their cold hardiness rating is zone 6 or 7. These installations are successful when a microclimate is created in the landscape by planting in a protected area: a shady enclosed garden or courtyard surrounded by other plants and shrubs. Native to Southeast Asia.

    By: Tidwell Nurseries

    Gardening facts about Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus' plant

    How to Grow Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • acidic
      • adaptable
      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • white
      • lavender

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Fruit

      • purple

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • grassy

    See other plant types of Ophiopogon for your garden

    Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Kokuryu'

    aka Ophiopogon 'Black Dragon', Ophiopogon nigrescens, Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Arabicus', Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Ebknizam', Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Ebony Knight', Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Niger', Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens', Ophiopogon planiscapus Ebony Knight®, Arabicus Black Mondo Grass, Arabicus Black Mondo Grass, Black Dragon Mondo Grass, Black Mondo Grass, Black Mondo Grass, Ebony Knight Black Mondo Grass

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    6a-10b

    Size

    Height: 6"-8"

    Width: 12"-36"

    • sun - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Kokuryu' flower, foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
    View Plant

    Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Haku Ryu Ko'

    aka Ophiopogon 'Haku ryu Ko', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Pamela Harper', Pamela Harper Variegated Mondo Grass, White Dragon Light Mondo Grass

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 6"-9"

    Width: 6"-10"

    • bright shade - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Haku Ryu Ko' foliage by Avant Gardens
    View Plant

    Ophiopogon japonicus

    aka Mondo Grass

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 12"

    Width: 12"

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Ophiopogon japonicus fruit by Kenpei
    View Plant

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    Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kigimafukiduma'

    aka Ophiopogon japonicus 'Albo-striatus', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Aritake', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Aritaki', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Silver Mist', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Variegata', Silver Mondo Grass, Variegata Silver Mist Mondo Grass

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    6a-10b

    Size

    Height: 12"-15"

    Width: 15"-36"

    • sun - shade
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kigimafukiduma' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
    View Plant

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    Ophiopogon japonicus 'Gyoku Ryu'

    aka Ophiopogon japonicus 'Gyoku-ryu', Dwarf Mondo Grass

    Plant Type

    Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    5a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2"-3"

    Width: 8"-12"

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Ophiopogon japonicus 'Gyoku Ryu' foliage by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    More Options

    +38 more Ophiopogon
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