Outstanding Ophiopogon

Karen Neville

There is one plant that has worked brilliantly in my garden through droughts, heatwaves, torrential rain, freezing temperatures and howling gales not to mention the army of slugs!

Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’. I thought I would dedicate an article to this plant and unravel some of the interesting facts. 

I know it as ‘Nigrescens’ because it’s black and now I find that the name has changed to ‘Kokuryu’ which is a Japanese submarine and a Japanese form of martial arts! The common name is mondo grass or black grass but it’s not even related to grass. It is in fact more closely related to lilies and another common name is lilyturf even though it is in the family Asparagaceae. Black grass is an invasive weed in wheat fields and although this is quite spready it is not a weed or a grass.  

The Japanese Connection

Black Ophiopogon is a very versatile plant surviving magnificently in our challenging climate. The green version Ophiopogon japonicus as the name suggests originates in Japan. There is also an Ophiopogon japonicus ’Nanum’ or ‘Minor’ which is a low growing version used widely in Japanese inspired gardens to provide evergreen swathes like a lawn. 

Uses in horticulture

All versions can be used as carpets, formal edging, in pots and containers and anywhere you want an evergreen ‘fringe’ or ‘swathe’. It’s hardy and grows on any well drained soil including chalk. It forms a mat and can swamp out other plants. I planted it with snowdrops to get a fabulous combination of deep black and snow white but the Ophiopogon took over. It takes a while to get going and once it becomes established, new plants can be propagated and potted up. My propagation classes have just done this. It grows in sun and shade and needs watering until established but is rarely bothered by pests and diseases. It looks fabulous all year round and can be used in summer and winter baskets and containers.  

A new addition… 

Ophiopogon japonicus variegata ‘Silver Mist’. I am in heaven but I need to trial this for a few years to see if it is as successful as the other ones. 

Check out Cathie’s Gardening School for courses and workshops, garden mentoring and consultancies as well as CGS plants on ebay. Book a visit and join in. 

Cathie Welch, Cathie’s Gardening School