Home » Finding Your Perfect Plants » Mondo Grass, Monkey Grass (Ophiopogon)

Mondo Grass, Monkey Grass (Ophiopogon)

Example of approximately what these plants look like when shipped. See the eighth photograph of any plant to see a photo of what it looks like when shipped.
Gardeners love Ophiopogon for reliable texture, color and structure in rock gardens, between pavers or stepping stones, in seashore plantings and as borders for beds and walkways. The deep emerald green leaf blades form in clumps that need no mowing and will tolerate foot traffic, making them a perfect lawn alternative that thrives in full sun or full shade.

In the summer there are insignificant white flowers and in fall, bright blue berries will beckon birds. A slow spreader and one of the all-time favorite effortless grasses, Ophiopogon covers gardens in evergreen color that gives great contrast to other perennials.

See also:
  • Acorus gramineus (Sweet Flag)
  • Liriope muscari (Lily Turf)
  • Liriope spicata (Creeping Lily Turf)

    • See photographs comparing average sizes of some bare roots and potted plants
    Product
    Black Mondo Grass {3 1/2 in. Pots min 25}
    25 - 249: $18.57 each  |  250 - 999: $18.27 each
    (Black Dragon, Ebony Knight) Stylish, statement-making evergreen carpets the ground in deep ebony leaves with lavender flowers in summer. Splendid in rock gardens, border edging, highlighting and contrasting. Mature height 6-10"
    In stock.
    Black Mondo Grass {flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/2 in }
    1 flat of 18 3 1/2" pots: $249.97 ($13.89 per plant)
    (Black Dragon, Ebony Knight) Stylish, statement-making evergreen carpets the ground in deep ebony leaves with lavender flowers in summer. Splendid in rock gardens, border edging, highlighting and contrasting. Mature height 6-10"
    In stock.
    Dwarf Mondo Grass {3 1/4 in. Pots min 25}
    25 - 249: $4.97 each  |  250 - 999: $4.67 each
    (Dwarf Monkey Grass, Dwarf Lilyturf, Kyoto) Great foot-tolerant, no-mow turf substitute choice. A low-growing, dense and lush evergreen ground cover with dark green grass-like clumps of leaf blades that will thrive in sun or shade. 2-3" tall.
    In stock.
    Dwarf Mondo Grass {Bare Root Plants, min 50}
    50 - 249: $1.87 each  |  250 - 999: $1.57 each
    (Dwarf Monkey Grass, Dwarf Lilyturf, Kyoto) Great foot-tolerant, no-mow turf substitute choice. A low-growing, dense and lush evergreen ground cover with dark green grass-like clumps of leaf blades that will thrive in sun or shade. 2-3" tall.
    In stock.
    Dwarf Mondo Grass {2 1/4 in. Pots min 54}
    54 - 107: $4.17 each  |  108 - 1025: $3.97 each
    (Dwarf Monkey Grass, Dwarf Lilyturf, Kyoto) Great foot-tolerant, no-mow turf substitute choice. A low-growing, dense and lush evergreen ground cover with dark green grass-like clumps of leaf blades that will thrive in sun or shade. 2-3" tall.
    In stock.
    Dwarf Mondo Grass {flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/4 in }
    1 flat of 18 3 1/2" pots: $85.86 ($4.77 per plant)
    (Dwarf Monkey Grass, Dwarf Lilyturf, Kyoto) Great foot-tolerant, no-mow turf substitute choice. A low-growing, dense and lush evergreen ground cover with dark green grass-like clumps of leaf blades that will thrive in sun or shade. 2-3" tall.
    In stock.
    Dwarf Mondo Grass {flat of 32 Pots - 2 1/4 in }
    1 flat of 32 2.5" pots: $127.04 ($3.97 per plant)
    (Dwarf Monkey Grass, Dwarf Lilyturf, Kyoto) Great foot-tolerant, no-mow turf substitute choice. A low-growing, dense and lush evergreen ground cover with dark green grass-like clumps of leaf blades that will thrive in sun or shade. 2-3" tall.
    In stock.
    Mondo Grass {3 1/2 in. Pots min 25}
    25 - 249: $4.97 each  |  250 - 999: $4.67 each
    (Monkey Grass, Lilyturf, Japanese Snake's Beard, Kyoto) Evergreen grasslike clumps or mounds with leathery pond-green 1/8" leaf blades dotted by tiny light lilac to white flowers in summer and bright blue berries in fall. Mature height 6-10".
    In stock.
    Mondo Grass {Bare Root Plants, min 50}
    50 - 249: $1.87 each  |  250 - 999: $1.57 each
    (Monkey Grass, Lilyturf, Japanese Snake's Beard, Kyoto) Evergreen grasslike clumps or mounds with leathery pond-green 1/8" leaf blades dotted by tiny light lilac to white flowers in summer and bright blue berries in fall. Mature height 6-10".
    In stock.
    Mondo Grass {2 1/4 in. Pots min 54}
    54 - 107: $4.17 each  |  108 - 1025: $3.97 each
    (Monkey Grass, Lilyturf, Japanese Snake's Beard, Kyoto) Evergreen grasslike clumps or mounds with leathery pond-green 1/8" leaf blades dotted by tiny light lilac to white flowers in summer and bright blue berries in fall. Mature height 6-10".
    In stock.
    Mondo Grass {flat of 18 Pots - 3 1/4 in }
    1 flat of 18 3 1/2" pots: $85.86 ($4.77 per plant)
    (Monkey Grass, Lilyturf, Japanese Snake's Beard, Kyoto) Evergreen grasslike clumps or mounds with leathery pond-green 1/8" leaf blades dotted by tiny light lilac to white flowers in summer and bright blue berries in fall. Mature height 6-10".
    In stock.
    Mondo Grass {flat of 32 Pots - 2 1/4 in }
    1 flat of 32 2.5" pots: $127.04 ($3.97 per plant)
    (Monkey Grass, Lilyturf, Japanese Snake's Beard, Kyoto) Evergreen grasslike clumps or mounds with leathery pond-green 1/8" leaf blades dotted by tiny light lilac to white flowers in summer and bright blue berries in fall. Mature height 6-10".
    In stock.

    Specifications


    General information about Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass):
    A reliable, hardy evergreen with thin blade-like foliage in a dark shade of green, Ophiopogon, often referred to as Lily Turf or Mondo Grass is an excellent ground cover for shady areas where other plants refuse to grow.

    Gardeners love Mondo Grass for reliable texture, color and structure in rock gardens, between between pavers or stepping stones, in seashore plantings and as borders and edging for beds and walkways, around shaded pools and even garden statues because it requires no mowing and offers elegance, structure and definition to any area.

    Where runoff is a problem, its dense mat of roots is exceptional at holding the ground up, preventing erosion. The depth of color contrasts beautifully with the lighter green of a lawn or the grey hues of garden ornaments and works wonderfully as an evergreen in planters where seasonal annuals provide pops of vibrant color.

    If you love to play with shape and design, you will absolutely adore this lush, ornamental grass that creates a dense evergreen ground cover. The deep emerald green leaf blades (1/8 inch wide) form in clumps that need no mowing and will tolerate foot traffic making them a perfect lawn alternative that thrives in shade.

    In the summer there are insignificant white flowers and in fall, bright blue berries will beckon birds. Spreads slowly to moderately fast by underground stolons. One of the all-time favorite effortless grasses, Ophiopogon caresses gardens with color and richness.

    Things to Note
    Our Mondo grasses produce fruit that will drive birds crazy with delight. If you are a birder, this plant is a must have for attracting a variety of species.

    Gardener Tips
    Consider planting clumps of Mondo in year round planters adding forced tulips in early spring, Begonias and Creeping Jenny in summer and autumn, and sprigs of evergreen bows and berries in winter for continual curb appeal.

    Why all the confusion about the common names?
    In 1763, the French botanist Michael Adanson described a plant (probably Liriope) that he called Mondo, which remains a common name today.

    A few years later, Carl Peter Thunberg described a plant, which he named Convallaria japonica. This species is now known as Ophiopogon japonicus.

    A decade later, Portugese botanist Joao de Loureiro described and named the plant we now know as Liriope muscari. Nearly 100 years later Joseph Decaisne described the same species as Ophiopogon muscari.

    Over time there have been numerous discussions regarding these plants and the proper botanical names for them. Today, both Liriope and Ophiopogon are treated as distinct genera. In addition to sharing the name Mondo, the plants are also interchangably called Lilyturf and Monkey Grass.



    Care
    No unusual care instructions for this plant.



    Shipping
    No unusual shipping concerns for this plant.
    FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

    Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know how many days delivery will take and can control exactly when your order will be shipped.

    Shipping information that applies to all plants:
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