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Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Kokuryu'

mondo grass 'Kokuryu'

AGM plants

AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:

  • Excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions
  • Available to buy
  • Of good constitution
  • Essentially stable in form & colour
  • Reasonably resistant to pests & diseases
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RHS Plant Shop from £9.99 Sold by 108 nurseries

  • Other common names mondo grass 'Kokuryu'

  • Synonyms Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Black Dragon'
    Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'

    Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigra'
    Ophiopogon 'Black Dragon'

    see more

  • Family Asparagaceae

  • 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

  • Details 'Kokuryu' is an evergreen perennial to 20cm, forming dense tufts of arching, narrowly strap-shaped, leathery black leaves 20-30cm in length. Racemes of small purplish flowers, followed by glossy black berries

Characteristics

  • Foliage Evergreen

  • Habit Clump-forming

  • 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)

    H5

Colour

Sunlight

  • Partial Shade

  • Full Sun

  • Aspect South-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered

Soil

  • Sand

    Sand

  • Clay

    Clay

  • Loam

    Loam

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained

  • SoilSand, Clay, Loam

  • pHAcid, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

How to grow

Cultivation Grow in moist but well-drained soil, slightly acid, fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation Propagate by division in spring as growth resumes

Suggested planting locations and garden types Banks and Slopes Flower borders and beds Garden Edging Ground Cover Underplanting of Roses and Shrubs Low Maintenance City & Courtyard Gardens Coastal Rock Garden Cottage & Informal Garden Patio & Container Plants

How to care

Pruning No pruning required

Pests May be attacked by slugs

Diseases Generally disease free

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Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Kokuryu'

mondo grass 'Kokuryu'

Buy from £9.99 at the RHS Plants Shop

Buy from £9.99 at the RHS Plants Shop

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