Ophiopogon japonicus 'Silver Dragon'

RHS Plant Profile

spiked lilyturf 'Gin-ryu'

Other common names

mondo grass 'Silver Dragon'

Synonyms

Liriope exiliflora [Silvery Sunproof] misapplied, Liriope muscari 'Silver Dragon', Liriope spicata 'Silver Dragon', Ophiopogon 'Gin-ryu', Ophiopogon japonicus 'Silver Dragon'

Grass Like Herbaceous Perennial

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A rhizomatous, semi-evergreen perennial to 25cm tall, forming a dense clump of variegated grassy leaves striped green and white. In late summer it produces slender, upright spikes of tiny white to lilac-purple flowers, followed by rounded, blue-black berries. A useful plant for dry shade

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing
Exposure: 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): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming, Tufted
Genus: Liriope are evergreen herbaceous perennials forming compact clumps or spreading patches of arching, linear leaves and dense spikes or racemes of small globose flowers, followed by black berries
Name Status: Synonym

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, preferably acid, moist but well-drained soil in partial or full shade. Drought tolerant once established

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slug damage

Diseases

Generally disease-free