An easy-to-grow, attractive groundcover, mondo grass is especially useful as a turf alternative in shade gardens. Its grass-like foliage forms dense tufts that slowly spread over time and require no mowing. On top of the crisp foliage, small stalks of flowers appear in summer, reminiscent of grape hyacinths.
Does mondo grass make a good lawn?
Mondo Grass Lawns As this plant is incredibly resilient, they make a very good ground cover for large areas too. Using mondo grass as a turf lawn replacement is a popular option, especially in areas with a more desert climate.
Will mondo grass choke out weeds?
If you are patient, dwarf mondo grass is another great choice; it will give you deep green color all year and choke out most weeds once it is established. The thyme and mazus are sprinters. Both have stems that grow along the ground, rooting where they contact the soil surface.
How do you keep mondo grass alive?
Mondo Grass prefers a part shade to full sun position in the garden that has well drained soil. They should not be planted in full afternoon sun as the leaf tips will burn. They are frost tolerant and require little water once established.
What can you plant with mondo grass?
Planting: Plant mondo grass from spring through fall in well-drained soil. Companions: Plant with ferns, impatiens, liriope, and begonia; black mondo grass is especially showy next to light colored foliage like Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’, blue fescue, and lime or bronze heuchera.
How far apart should mondo grass be planted?
Mondo Grass Spacing Plant 4 to 12 inches apart in mass plantings or when planted as an edging. The closer you plant each plug, the faster it will fill in for complete coverage. You should also stagger between rows for the best coverage.
How fast does mondo grass spread?
Standard mondo grass reaches a mature spread up to 1 foot wide within a year or two, but dwarf mondo grass needs two to three years under ideal conditions to reach its spread of 3 to 4 inches.
Where do you put mondo grass?
Mondo grass care is extremely minimal, but you do need to choose the correct site and prepare the bed for best results. Plants are light green in full sun but deeper green in shade. Either location works well provided soil is well draining and free of competitive weeds.
Can you split mondo grass?
For division, dig up a well established clump of dwarf mondo grass. Use your hands to break the clump into smaller clumps or use a sharp, clean knife to cut the clump into smaller pieces. … The best time to divide your mondo grass is in the early spring or early fall.
Can I walk on mondo grass?
Dwarf mondo grass can tolerate being walked on every now and then, but regular foot traffic will destroy it. If you’ll need to walk through an area planted with mondo grass, install stepping stones or another type of path. … Because it’s small and slow growing, dwarf mondo grass performs well as a houseplant.
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Is mondo grass invasive?
Is Mondo Grass Invasive? Mondo grass is described as invasive because it is hard to control its spread or get rid of it. In many southern states, Mondo grass is considered invasive and grows through turf lawns and gardens.
Should I mulch mondo grass?
Growing and Propagating Mondo Grass The best way to keep weeds at bay is to mulch around surrounding plants, or lay straw over the ground to block the sunlight. … This strategy improves soil draining and aeration for the plant’s roots. Add in some compost to the ground to accelerate growth.
Will deer eat mondo grass?
Examples of ornamental grasses deer might eat include bamboo, bottlebrush grass, drooping sedge, dwarf mondo grass, ribbon grass, and sedge. … Other popular grasses, such as big bluestem, blue fescue, and feather reed grass are rarely eaten by deer.
How do you prepare soil for mondo grass?
- Test your soil by digging a hole that is at least 12 inches (30 cm) wide by 12 inches (30 cm) deep. Fill the hole with water and let it completely drain. …
- If the soil is not well-drained, use compost to improve your soil’s drainage, or find another spot to plant the mondo grass.
Is mondo grass low maintenance?
Mondo grass (Ophiopogon) is a robust, low-growing leafy plant that is an excellent substitute for turfgrass. The benefits of planting mondo grass are that it’s low-maintenance, grows in the shade, doesn’t take over gardens, and stays green all year long.
What eats mondo grass?
Rabbits, chipmunks and squirrels will all happily munch on your mondo grass.
How do you keep weeds out of mondo grass?
After planting liriope or mondo grass, apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch to the planting area to help prevent weed growth. Encouraging vegetative growth will help attain a solid cover more quickly. Both liriope and mondo grass will thrive with at least a yearly application of mulch and fertilizer.
Is mondo grass OK for dogs?
Don’t use pet droppings after a worming treatment as it will kill garden worms, too. Some plants, such as mondo grass, can be • killed by dog wee, so be careful about which plants you use where dogs frequently “go”. whether they’ll be left at home alone for long periods.
What is the difference between mondo grass and liriope?
Liriope is upright, with straight blades, and is the taller of the two (by about 8 inches). Mondo grass has more narrow blades and a drooping aspect. When liriope produces its showy flowers, you will see them above the grass blades. This is because the flowers of mondo grass are hidden within the blades.
Is mondo grass toxic to cats?
I can’t tell you that mondograss is definitely NOT toxic to cats. … It is not unusual for cats to consume grasses and other such plants and then regurgitate to remove something from their stomach. Ask you vet about this and perhaps he could offer some other possible causes.
Why is my mondo grass turning yellow?
A bacterial disease that causes burnt-looking leaf tips, yellowing leaves and rotting roots, pythium root rot is a serious disease in miniature mondo grass that often develops in heavy soils with poor drainage. Biological pesticides control Pythium splendens, the bacteria that causes the disease.
Does mondo grass grow in shade?
Growing tips Best results are seen when the grass is planted in part shade or shade, with protection against the afternoon sun. Some varieties of Mondo grass can perform well in full sun conditions. However, in the hotter days and with constant exposure, the leaves can develop burnt tips.
Should I cut back black mondo grass?
Lush, healthy mondo grass doesn’t need annual pruning to keep it looking its best. Only when drought, a severe winter or other seasonal woes causes foliage to look tattered would you need to consider pruning it. Pruning may be necessary only every other spring or every third spring.
How do you thin mondo grass?
Push the soil into the ground to pack it around the roots. Plant the other half of the divided grass in a new location. Repeat until the grass is thinned to your liking. Spray the roots with water and place them in a plastic bag if they are going to be transported.
What kills mondo grass?
If you want to get rid of monkey grass, the only way to control it is to use a product that contains glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-Up. Be careful spraying Round-Up in your lawn as it is a non-selective herbicide and will kill both the Liriope and your desired grass.
Does mondo grass have berries?
Pick the berries from the black mondo grass around the end of October or the beginning of November. Ripe berries are completely black or dark purple without any green coloration on the berries. If the skin of the berries is still a bit green, just leave them on the plants a little longer.
When should mondo grass be planted?
Plan to plant mondo grass during the period of spring through fall in a well-draining location that receives full to partial shade and is free of weeds.
