Shop Ophiopogon plants from multiple nurseries
About the genus
Though known by the common names lilyturf and mondo grass, Ophiopogon is a genus of evergreen herbaceous perennials in the Asparagaceae, or asparagus family. The leaves, which can be green, variegated with white or gold, or nearly black, do indeed look like grass, but lilyturf also bears spikes of small white to pale lavender flowers with six sepals. The flowers mature into glossy blue or black fruits, ornamental in their own right.
Uses
Lilyturf can be planted as a shade-tolerant alternative to grass under trees and shrubs, as it tolerates root competition well. It’s a popular ground cover or edging along beds and pathways, and also grows well in containers. Dwarf types make a lovely groundcover in rock gardens, fern tables, and around larger plants in containers, and are also grown as companion plants with bonsai. Black mondo grass provides high drama and contrast with its dark, gothic foliage.
Care
Native to Asia, lilyturf grows well in areas with hot, humid summers, but is also drought tolerant. Black mondo grass needs full sun or only light afternoon shade for the darkest foliage, but others will grow happily in partial to full shade. Lilyturf is deer and rabbit resistant but may occasionally be eaten by slugs. It needs little maintenance, but can be mowed or cut back in late winter if the foliage is damaged and needs refreshing.
42 Results for Ophiopogon
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
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
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
aka Himalayan Mondo Grass
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
6a-9b
Size
Height: 8"-10"
Width: 10"-24"
- sun - shade
- even moisture - drought tolerant
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
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
aka Ophiopogon japonicus [A1K-130], Clumping Mondo Grass
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
6a-10b
Size
Height: 8"-12"
Width: 14"-20"
- mostly sun - shade
- even moisture - drought tolerant
Scientific Name: Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Yapard'
aka Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Black Beard', Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Blackbeard', Black Beard Mondo Grass, Black Mondo Grass
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
7a-10b
Size
Height: 8"-12"
Width: 12"-24"
- mostly sun - shade
- even moisture - drought tolerant
aka Ophiopogon japonicus 'Kyoto Dwarf', Kyoto Dwarf Mondo Grass
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
6b-9b
Size
Height: 2"-3"
Width: 4"-12"
- mostly sun - mostly shade
- regular - drought tolerant
aka Torafu Mondo Grass
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
6b-9b
Size
Height: 6"-8"
Width: 12"-18"
- sun - shade
- regular - drought tolerant
aka Ophiopogon japonica 'Nana', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanum', Dwarf Mondo Grass, Dwarf Mondo Grass ~ Green
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
7a-10a
Size
Height: 2"-8"
Width: 6"-20"
- sun - shade
- even moisture - drought tolerant
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
5a-9b
Size
Height: 6"-12"
Width: 6"-12"
- sun - mostly shade
- regular - drought tolerant
aka Ophiopogon planiscarpus 'Way Good Variegated'
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
6a-10b
Size
Height: 4"
Width: 12"
- sun - shade
- even moisture - drought tolerant
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
7a-10a
Size
Height: 6"
Width: 12"
- bright shade
- regular - drought tolerant
aka Teague's Black Mondo Grass
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
6a-11
Size
Height: 4"-6"
Width: 6"-12"
- mostly sun - dappled shade
- regular - drought tolerant
aka Liriope 'Silver Dragon', Liriope japonicus 'Silver Dragon', Liriope spicata 'Silver Dragon', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Silver Dragon', Silver Dragon Lily Turf
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
5a-11
Size
Height: 8"-12"
Width: 8"-24"
- sun - shade
- regular - drought tolerant
aka Mondo Grass
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
6a-10a
Size
Height: 8"-10"
Width: 8"-12"
- mostly sun - mostly shade
- regular - drought tolerant
aka Taiwan Mondo Grass
Plant Type
Perennial, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
7a-10b
Size
Height: 8"
Width: 36"
- bright shade - mostly shade
- regular - occasional
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
6a-9b
Size
Height: 4"-6"
Width: 18"
- bright shade
- occasional
aka Ophiopogon chingii 'Sparkler', Lilyturf, Mondo Grass
Plant Type
Perennial, Groundcover, Grass / Grass Like
Zones
5a-10a
Size
Height: 4"-6"
Width: 4"-6"
- mostly sun - shade
- even moisture - drought tolerant
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