Dwarf Lilyturf Ophiopogon japonicus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- oh-fee-oh-POH-gon jah-PON-ih-kus
- Description
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Dwarf lilyturf, or mondo grass, is a broadleaf evergreen ground cover or ornamental grass in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) and is native to Japan, Korea and China. It may grow up to 1 foot tall and wide, is grass-like and has a low mounding form. Its genus name is from the Greek word ophis, meaning snake, and pogon, meaning beard.
This plant prefers shade and moist, well-drained soils. It is sun tolerant, highly salt-tolerant and resists deer and foot traffic. As an evergreen groundcover, it forms a mat by runners (stolons). As a turf alternative for shady areas, it should be mowed yearly. Propagate through division.
Use dwarf lilyturf as a border, at the foundation, along walkways or patios or in place of lawn. It makes a soft ground cover in a children’s garden or a decorative filler for a container outdoors or indoors with houseplants.
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.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: This plant is relatively pest free but its foliage can be disfigured by slugs.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Japanese Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County A Sampling of Shade Gardens Asian Garden - Zen Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Black Dragaon'
- Fuiri Gyoku
Variegated blade-like arched leaves
'Nana'
Very short, blade-like arching leaves - 'Black Dragaon'
- 'Black Dragaon', Fuiri Gyoku, 'Nana'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Dragaon'
- Fuiri Gyoku
Variegated blade-like arched leaves
'Nana'
Very short, blade-like arching leaves - 'Black Dragaon'
- 'Black Dragaon', Fuiri Gyoku, 'Nana'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ophiopogon
- Species:
- japonicus
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- 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. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 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:
- 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
- Fairy Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Foot Traffic
- Heavy Shade
- Insect Pests
- Rabbits
- Salt
