Description
Ophiopogon japonicus, known as mondo grass or dwarf lilyturf, is an evergreen ground cover with narrow, dark green leaves in dense tufts. It is not a true grass. In summer it carries small white or lilac-tinged flowers, followed by blue-black berries.
Mondo grass at a glance
| Botanical name |
Ophiopogon japonicus |
| Common name |
Mondo grass, dwarf lilyturf |
| Plant type |
Evergreen, tufted ground cover (not a true grass) |
| Height and spread |
About 10–30 cm tall, up to 50 cm wide |
| Flowers |
Small, white or lilac-tinged, in summer, followed by blue-black berries |
| Position |
Full sun or part shade |
| Soil |
Moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soil |
| Pond depth |
None – not a water or bog plant |
| Hardiness |
RHS H5 – hardy in a cold winter (-15 to -10°C) |
| Native to |
East Asia (not UK native) |
Is mondo grass a pond plant?
No. It is not a water or bog plant. It needs moist but well-drained soil, and it lasts only a few months under water before it rots. Plant it in damp, well-drained ground around a pond, not on a marginal shelf or in waterlogged soil.
Where to plant it
- Damp but drained ground near a pond
- Woodland edges and part-shaded borders, as ground cover
- Moist but well-drained borders
How to plant and care for it
Plant in spring in moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soil. It is evergreen and tough. Slugs may damage it.
Which size should I buy?
Bare-root plants (7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive without a pot or compost and are the most economical way to plant a group. Potted plants (9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive growing in our peat-free compost and give a faster display. Packs of 3 come in 7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre bare-root sizes and cost less per plant. The 2x Pot & Compost option is two plants supplied with pots and compost.
