Ophiopogon japonicus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- oh-fee-oh-POH-gon jah-PON-ih-kus
- Description
-
Dwarf Lilyturf is a highly salt-tolerant evergreen groundcover that grows up to 1' tall, is grasslike, and has a dwarf mounding form. Its leaves are finer than Liriope spp., however these two species have similar forms. This evergreen groundcover forms a mat by runners.
This plant is a turf alternative for shady areas and should be mowed yearly. Dwarf selections are slow-growing and are utilized with water, rocks, block cylinders, slopes, edging beds, model railroading, and in interior pot plants to show off the ornamental, translucent blue fruits that are hidden in the foliage. This plant prefers shade and moist, well-drained soils. It is sun tolerant and relatively pest-free, but foliage can be disfigured by slugs.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are very narrow and less than an inch wide
- Inflorescence is hidden and the peduncle is flattened
- Fruits are cobalt blue
- Grass-like groundcover, mounding, stoloniferous
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Asian Garden- Zen Garden Water Feature Asian Garden- Japanese Dry Stream Garden Shaded Patio Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Dragaon'
- Fuiri Gyoku
Variegated blade-like arched leaves
'Nana'
Blade-like arching leaves - 'Black Dragaon'
- 'Black Dragaon', Fuiri Gyoku, 'Nana'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Dragaon'
- Fuiri Gyoku
Variegated blade-like arched leaves
'Nana'
Blade-like arching leaves - 'Black Dragaon'
- 'Black Dragaon', Fuiri Gyoku, 'Nana'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ophiopogon
- Species:
- japonicus
- Family:
- Aspsaragaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Korea, Japan
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Mondo grass is resistant to damage by deer, and is highly salt tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is a globose berry, opalescent or metallic blue in color, less than an inch in diameter, and are hidden in the foliage.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are few, nodding, pale lilac to white, and hang loosely on a raceme. Raceme's are short (2-4" long), flattened, and are hidden in foliage. Rachis are lateral on the flattened peduncle. Flowers bloom in the summer.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are simple, entire, linear, grass-like, erect arching apically, are dark green, and grow up to 16" long and less than an inch wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems have lateral underground stolons that terminate in daughter plants and are mat-forming by runners.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Houseplants
- Lawn
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Foot Traffic
- Heavy Shade
- Insect Pests
- Rabbits
- Salt
