Ophiopogon
Genus of about 50 species of evergreen, rhizomatous or tufted perennials, often with swollen, fleshy roots, sometimes also stoloniferous, from shady scrub or woodland in East Asis, especially China and Japan. They are grown mainly for their dense tufts of somewhat grass-like leaves. Racemes of numerous small, 6-tepalled, semi-spherical to bell-shaped, pinkish white, lilac, or white flowers are produced on leafless stems in summer, followed by spherical to oblong-ellipsoid, glossy, blue or black fruits. Grow as grassy ground cover, for border edging, or in a rock garden or peat bed. In frost-prone areas, grow the less hardy species for seasonal bedding, or in a cool or temperate greenhouse.

Hardiness: Fully hardy to half hardy.

Cultivation: Outdoors, grow in moist but well-drained, slightly acid, fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade. Top-dress annually with leaf mould in autumn. Under glass, grow in loam-based potting compost (JI No. 2) in full light or bright indirect light. In growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly; water sparingly in winter.

Source: The Royal Horticultural Society "A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants A-J", page 742.

Photo: Shady Plants

See Glossary of Terms for meaning on words used in this information page.

Back to main grasses page