Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’
Blooming Time
Exposure
A member of the lily family, black mondo grass is the most unusually colored plant that we grow. Its narrow grasslike leaves are so intensely purple-pigmented that they look black. In addition, it bears numerous dainty pink and whitish bell shaped flowers upon upright stems in summer, followed by bunches of shiny black pearl-shaped fruit in fall. A slow spreader, black lily-turf is tough, drought tolerant, and carefree. As would be expected, it yields strong color contrast, plant in a location that is protected from winter wind and sun if snowcover is unreliable.
Details
Hardiness Zone:
Blossom Color:
Rose to Pink
Growth Habit:
Creeping
Max Height:
12"
Texture:
Recommended Spacing:
We sell this plant in these containers:
Special Characteristics
Features
Intensely purple-pigmented narrow grasslike leaves appear black and contrast sharply with the dainty pink and whitish bell shaped summerborne flowers.
Landscape Value
Small scale ground cover, accent, or companion-very high contrast plant.
Care
Watering:
Black Mondo Grass is moderately drought tolerant but benefits from occasional watering, to maintain soil in a moist but not wet condition, during the summer months.
Fertilizing:
Black Mondo Grass is a moderate feeder, benefiting from a couple of annual applications of slow release fertilizer. A spring application of a 3-1-2 ratio (such as a 15-5-10) can be applied at a rate of about 10 pounds per 1000 square feet, and during early fall, an application of a 2-1-2 ratio (such as a 10-5-10) can be applied to encourage root development and cold hardiness.
Pruning:
Black Mondo Grass is evergreen and does not require pruning. It is normally only pruned for the purpose of keeping it within bounds.