Mondo Grass 'Nana' Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- oh-fee-oh-POH-gon jah-PON-ih-kus NAH-nah
- Description
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Dwarf Mondo Grass 'Nana' is an attractive low-growing evergreen Mondo grass cultivar that slowly spreads and forms thick tufts of arching, linear, grass-like dark green leaves. In the summer, insignificant racemes of white flowers appear and are followed by pearl-sized berry-like fruits. The flowers and fruits are typically hidden by the leaves. The plant grows up to 6 inches tall and spreads in clumps up to 8 to 12 inches. It is very similar to Liriope and spreads slowly by short underground stolons. It is grown for its ornamental tufts of grass-like leaves and is frequently used as a lawn alternative, particularly in shady areas. It is tolerant of low foot traffic and is resistant to deer and rabbit damage.
The species is native to the woodlands of Central and South China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.
The genus name, Ophiopogon, is derived from the Greek word, ophis, meaning snake, and pogon meaning beard. The specific epithet, japonicus, means native to Japan.
Dwarf Mondo Grass 'Nana' prefers moist, well-drained soils of clay, loam, or sand with an acidic to neutral pH. It is both drought and salt tolerant. The grass will grow in shaded areas, but if planted in full sun, it will require additional moisture.
This groundcover can serve as a low-maintenance and no-mow lawn. It is great for filling shaded areas of the landscape where the grass is difficult to grow. Dwarf Mondo Grass 'Nana' may be used as a planting between stepping stones, around patios, and for use as borders, edging, and underplanting shrubs or trees. You may want to consider this plant for Asian gardens, rock gardens, or coastal gardens
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Summer Foliage: Year-round Fruits: Fall
Quick ID Hints:
- low-growing groundcover, ornamental grass-like,
- narrow, linear, dark green leaves measuring up to 6 inches long and about 1/4 inch wide
- insignificant racemes of tiny bell-shaped white flowers in the summer
- small, pearl-like berries of blue to black
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for slugs and no serious insect or disease problems. It should not be planted in high-traffic areas. It is slow-growing and will take years to establish in large areas.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Fairy Gardens Part Shade Garden, Durham County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ophiopogon
- Species:
- japonicus
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The blue to black berries are round and 0.25 inches in diameter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are short racemes of small, bell-shaped white flowers that measure about 0.25 inches wide. They bloom in the summer on leafless stalks. The racemes measure 2 to 3 inches long.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are grass-like, narrow, linear, dark green, and measure 6 inches long and about 1/4-inch side.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Lawn
- Patio
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Foot Traffic
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Salt