If you want a dramatic groundcover, try landscaping with black mondo grass. What is black mondo grass? It is a low-growing perennial plant with purplish-black, grass-like leaves. In proper sites, the little plants spread, forming a carpet of unique color and foliage. Before planting it’s good to learn just when to plant black mondo grass for better results.
What is Black Mondo Grass?
Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens,’ or black mondo grass, is a clumping plant with thick tufts of arching black leaves. The strappy leaves are about 12 inches long (30.5 cm.) when mature. Plants send out racemes to form little baby plants over time. In late spring to early summer, racemes of pink bell-like flowers appear. From these, bluish-black berries form.
Mondo grass is evergreen, deer
and rabbit
resistant, and even salt and drought tolerant once established. The plant
is hardy to USDA zones 5-10. There are a few types of mondo
grass, but the black variety brings an interesting color note to the
landscape that really sets off other plant hues. It is useful in full to
partial shade sites.
When to Plant Black Mondo Grass
If you are intrigued and want to know how to grow this grass
variety, first select a site with well-draining, rich, moist soil. For best
results, install plants in early spring where you can take advantage of wet
conditions. You can also plant them in summer or fall but water regularly in
the former and mulch
in the fall to protect plants from any unexpected freeze.
Try landscaping with black mondo grass around paths and
along borders. They can also be used in containers, but expect slower growth.
How to Grow Black Mondo Grass
The best way to propagate this plant is through division.
As the plant matures, usually in a couple of years, it will send out rhizomes
that will form little baby plants. Divide these away from the parent in spring.
Or just let them continue growing to produce a thick carpet of lush black
foliage.
Black mondo grass care is simple and straightforward. They
need regular water to get established and weekly thereafter for optimum growth.
If planted in rich soil, they won’t need fertilizing but every couple of years
in spring.
Black mondo grass has few pest or disease issues. Smut
may be a problem unless the plant’s leaves have time to dry before nighttime. Slugs
occasionally are an issue. Otherwise, grass care is easy and low maintenance.
If you want a dramatic groundcover, try landscaping with black mondo grass. What is black mondo grass? It is a low-growing perennial plant with purplish-black, grass-like leaves. In proper sites, the little plants spread, forming a carpet of unique color and foliage. Before planting it’s good to learn just when to plant black mondo grass for better results.
What is Black Mondo Grass?
Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens,’ or black mondo grass, is a clumping plant with thick tufts of arching black leaves. The strappy leaves are about 12 inches long (30.5 cm.) when mature. Plants send out racemes to form little baby plants over time. In late spring to early summer, racemes of pink bell-like flowers appear. From these, bluish-black berries form.
Mondo grass is evergreen, deer
and rabbit
resistant, and even salt and drought tolerant once established. The plant
is hardy to USDA zones 5-10. There are a few types of mondo
grass, but the black variety brings an interesting color note to the
landscape that really sets off other plant hues. It is useful in full to
partial shade sites.
When to Plant Black Mondo Grass
If you are intrigued and want to know how to grow this grass
variety, first select a site with well-draining, rich, moist soil. For best
results, install plants in early spring where you can take advantage of wet
conditions. You can also plant them in summer or fall but water regularly in
the former and mulch
in the fall to protect plants from any unexpected freeze.
Try landscaping with black mondo grass around paths and
along borders. They can also be used in containers, but expect slower growth.
How to Grow Black Mondo Grass
The best way to propagate this plant is through division.
As the plant matures, usually in a couple of years, it will send out rhizomes
that will form little baby plants. Divide these away from the parent in spring.
Or just let them continue growing to produce a thick carpet of lush black
foliage.
Black mondo grass care is simple and straightforward. They
need regular water to get established and weekly thereafter for optimum growth.
If planted in rich soil, they won’t need fertilizing but every couple of years
in spring.
Black mondo grass has few pest or disease issues. Smut
may be a problem unless the plant’s leaves have time to dry before nighttime. Slugs
occasionally are an issue. Otherwise, grass care is easy and low maintenance.