Name: Mondo Grass

Botanical Name: Ophiopogon japonicus

Zone: 5-9

Soil: Average.

Exposure: Full Sun, light shade

Bloom Time and Color: Small Purple Blooms in Summer

Description: Mondo Grass is an evergreen which grows in grass-like mounds with rich dark green thin leaf blades. Insignificant light lilac to white flowers in summer, with bright blue glove-shaped berries in fall. It is the traditional groundcover of the Japanese garden. Mondo grass is an excellent ground cover for shady areas, and the dense mat of roots holds the ground well where runoff is a problem. It is widely used as a border around beds, and is good for edging walkways and defining beds. Moderate grower to 12 to 15 in. tall and wide.

Care: Best in part shade in hot summer climates. Doesn't need much care. Easy to grow, very hardy.