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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Epimedium sempervirens Epimedium sempervirens
Iberis sempervirens Iberis sempervirens
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' has some common insect problems:
Fern Scale Insect

Monkey Grass 'Nana' Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana'

Phonetic Spelling
oh-fee-oh-POH-gon jah-PON-ih-kus NAH-nah
Description

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.

 

More information on Ophiopogon japonicus.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Fairy Gardens Part Shade Garden, Durham County
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#white flowers#shade garden#lawn alternative#rabbit resistant#ncemgva2018#deer resistant#low growing plant#children's garden#playground plant#blue fruits#groundcover#rock garden#grass-like#Asian garden#black walnut toxicity tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#mccarthy memorial garden#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#white flowers#shade garden#lawn alternative#rabbit resistant#ncemgva2018#deer resistant#low growing plant#children's garden#playground plant#blue fruits#groundcover#rock garden#grass-like#Asian garden#black walnut toxicity tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#mccarthy memorial garden#landscape plant sleuths course
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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