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Grass LikeHerbaceous Perennial

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nanus Variegatus' (v)

mondo grass 'Nanus Variegatus'

A dwarf evergreen perennial, producing clumps to 15cm high of tough, grass-like leaves streaked with creamy white. Short stems bear clusters of small, bell-shaped, lilac-tinted white flowers in summer, followed by small black berries

Synonyms

Ophiopogon japonicus subsp. minor 'Variegatus'

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade
Full shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming, Tufted
Genus: Ophiopogon are rhizomatous or tufted evergreen perennials forming clumps of leathery, narrowly strap-shaped leaves, with racemes of small bell-shaped white or mauve flowers on leafless stems in summer, followed by glossy black berries
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Tolerates a range of soils and conditions, but thrives in rich, moist but well-drained, slightly acid soil in light shade. Ideal for container arrangements

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring as growth resumes, or by seed sown as soon as ripe

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required, dead leaves can be combed out in spring

Pests

May be susceptible to damage from slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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