Ophiopogon planiscapus

One of the few black-leafed plants in existence, Ophiopogon planiscapus provides striking contrast when planted as a foil to light-colored flowers or foliage.

Black mondo grass is similar in appearance to liriope. Straplike, narrow leaves are about 15 inches long. New leaves are green, but they soon turn black. It is a clumping perennial in the lily family that spreads by underground stolons to form an evergreen (so to speak) groundcover that is mostly unfazed by low temperatures.

Plants are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9. It has been proven hardy to minus 20F.

Flower spikes rise above the foliage carrying loose clusters of pink, white, blue or purplish flowers in summer. Fat black fruit follows.

Black mondo grass can be somewhat of a slow grower in the nursery, but it picks up the pace once it's in the landscape. A single plant will make a nice 18-inch-wide mat in three years. For quicker coverage, plant on 10- to 12-inch centers.

Some cultivars

There is a handful of cultivars to consider. The differences among them are not great.

'Arabicus.' Each 6-inch-tall circular mound is composed of 1/4-inch-wide foliage.

'Black Knight.' Variously known in the trade as 'Ebony Knight,' 'Black Night,' 'Ebony Night' and 'Ebknizam.' Flowers are inconspicuous, but the 4- to 6-inch-long black foliage is very distinctive. Spread is 1 foot.

' Niger.' In summer it sends up short stems of blue flowers, which in turn produce tight clusters of shiny, black, pea-size berries that hang on the plant all winter.

'Nigrescens.' Black leaves and white (sometimes flushed pink) flowers.

Cultural notes

O. planiscapus, a Japanese native, is easy to propagate and maintain.

Propagation is by plant division and by planting cuttings of stolons.

Full sun to partial shade is recommended, but part shade is probably the best place for it to hold its unique coloring. Soils should be kept moist and be of a sandy or loamy composition. An acidic or neutral soil pH is best.

Most growers sell black mondo grass in 4-inch or quart pots.

In the landscape, emphasis should be placed on highlighting this plant's attractive foliage, so plant black mondo grass with contrasting colors, for example yellow-leafed hostas and delicate ferns or underplanted with Lysimachia.

- Kevin Neal

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Specifics

Name: Ophiopogon planiscapus

Common names: Black mondo grass, black lilyturf, snakebeard.

Family: Liliaceae.

Description: Herbaceous perennial that forms tufted mounds; similar in appearance to liriope, but the attraction here is the black foliage. Flowers are lavender, blue, pink or whitish; seed-bearing fruits are black.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9.
Landscape uses: Grow this novelty as a grasslike groundcover, for border edging, in a rock garden or in containers.