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Dianthus chinensis x barbatus Flowers
Iberis sempervirens Iberis sempervirens
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' has some common insect problems:
Fern Scale Insect

Black Mondo Grass Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Black Mondo Grass:

Previously known as:

  • 0phiopogon planiscapus 'Arabicus'
  • Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Black Dragon'
  • Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Ebony Knight'
  • Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigra'
Phonetic Spelling
oh-fee-oh-POH-gon plan-ih-skay-pus
Description

Black Mondo Grass is an ornamental, tufted evergreen, perennial, and mondo grass cultivar. It is a dense, rhizomatous, compact ground cover with a clumping and arching grass-like habit that forms a mat. It has leathery, purple to jet-black linear leaves that measure 8 to 12 inches long and 3/16 inches wide. During the summer, small, bell-shaped white flowers tinged with pink and purple emerge in racemes. They produced glossy dark purple round berries that ripen in the fall. The plant resembles Liriope, but the black leaves of the Black Mondo Grass add a stark contrast to the garden. It is a member of the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family.

The cultivar, 'Nigerescens' is commonly known as Black Mondo Grass or Black Lily-Turf. The genus name, Ophiopogon, is derived from two Greek words. Ophis means snake, and pogon means beard.

Black Mondo Grass prefers rich, slightly acidic, moist, and well-drained soil. It grows well in full sun to partial shade. In warmer climates, it is best to provide it with some afternoon shade. It is adaptable to a wide range of conditions including salt and drought. It thrives in evenly moist soils.

Black Mondo Grass is not a true grass. It has a tuberous root and is slow-growing. It is best planted in the spring so that it will be well-established before winter.  It is rabbit and deer resistant.

The Black Mondo Grass provides a unique contrast with other foliage plants with its jet-black leaves. Consider this plant as an accent, container planting, for borders, or edging. It will add interest to your Cottage Garden or Rock Garden. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Summer               Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall      Fruits:  Fall

Quick ID Hints:

  • herbaceous perennial groundcover from 8 to 12 inches tall and equally as wide in arching clumps
  • stemless
  • black to purple, narrow, linear, leathery, grass-like leaves
  • tiny white, bell-shaped flowers that are tinged with pink and lilac 
  • round, dark purple berries that mature in the fall

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Black Mondo Grass has no serious disease or insect problems. Monitor for possible slugs in moist climates.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#white flowers#purple leaves#salt tolerant#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#black leaves#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#grass-like#acidic soils tolerant#purple fruits#understory planting#partial shade tolerant#container plant#mat forming#patio#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#white flowers#purple leaves#salt tolerant#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#black leaves#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#grass-like#acidic soils tolerant#purple fruits#understory planting#partial shade tolerant#container plant#mat forming#patio#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ophiopogon
    Species:
    planiscapus
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Play Value:
    Defines Paths
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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
    High Organic Matter
    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:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are round, dark, purple berries that mature in the fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are white with pink and lilac tinges, bell-shaped, measure 1/4 inch long, that appear in racemes. They bloom during the summer from July to August.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Black
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are leathery, narrow, linear, grass-like, and black to purple. They measure 3/16 inches wide and 8 to 12 inches in height.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stemless.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Salt