Ophiopogon japonicus Seeds | Mondo Grass
.jpeg "Mondo Grass seeds (Ophiopogon japonicus)")
LATIN NAME: Ophiopogon japonicus
COMMON NAME: Mondo Grass
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Mondo Grass, Ophiopogon japonicus is a grass in the asparagus family. It spreads slowly by stolons into dense ground cover, and it likes light shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Add these qualities together and you have a species well worth a place in the garden.
Science & Biotechnology
As part of the asparagus family, Ophiopogon japonicus contributes to research on plant classification and adaptation, while nurseries and gardeners continue to trial it for cultivation. Dense, evergreen habit of mondo grass gives it a recognised place in research on shade ground covers of asparagus family, and japonicus species appears in studies of stolon spread and tuberous medicinal uses. For practical purposes the message is encouraging: generations of cultivation have produced plants of predictable, well-mannered garden character.
Uses & Benefits
Mondo Grass brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. In shaded garden, mondo grass bears on its shade with blue-black berries. Dense leaves make neat, low lawn under trees, tubers have served traditional preparations for generations, and berries add late colour. It grows well in moist, well-drained, lightly shaded ground. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Mondo grass tuber, Mai Men Dong, is a classical Chinese yin-moistening herb for dry coughs and thirsty conditions, its ophiopogonin saponins widely studied; the evergreen tufts are also one of the best shade groundcovers.
Growing from Seed
Mondo Grass grows readily from seed. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray bright light. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Mondo Grass repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
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