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Ophiopogon japonicus 'Gyoku Ryu'
Mondo Grass
Plant Type:
GRASSES & GRASS-LIKE PLANTSOphiopogon japonicus ‘Gyoku Ryu’ – This little "turtle' is a miniature Mondo Grass composed of congested dark green arching, stubby blades. It looks a lot like a sophisticated Armeria. It’s really cute! Some bonsai growers will plant a pot of ‘Gyoku Ryu’ as a contrasting counterpoint - a palette cleanser, if you will, between bonsai specimens. Used as a ground cover by bonsai enthusiasts it suggests grass when planted under a bonsai tree. In the larger garden it can be planted en masse and will form a dense and low weed-proof carpet. ‘Gyoku Ryu’ is actually coming through for us in the microclimate of a south facing border. Spring planting is advised if you are to attempt them in the north.
More About Ophiopogon japonicus 'Gyoku Ryu'
- Miniature Mondo Grass
Height:
1-2 inCharacteristics and Attributes for Ophiopogon japonicus 'Gyoku Ryu'
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Four Seasons
Light
- Full Sun
- Mostly Sunny
Attributes
- Border
- Massing
- Potted Plant
- Rock Garden
- Drought Tolerant
- Small / Miniature
- Bonsai Candidate
- Railroad Garden
- Edging
- Labyrinth
- Evergreen
- Bank
- Ground Cover
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Slow
Soil
- Fertile
- Draining
Origins
- Japan
Propagated By
- Division
Genus Overview: Ophiopogon
Common Name: Mondo Grass
The Mondo Grasses make beautiful grass-like ground covering blankets adaptable to sun in the north, happier in part to open shade farther south. They are not grasses at all; in fact, they are members of the Liliaceae as is Liriope with which they are closely allied. Plant the virtually evergreen Mondo Grasses in fertile soil for best growth. Once established they do demonstrate drought tolerance. Spring planting is advised if you are to attempt them in the north range. Ophiopogon spreads moderately fast and is a colonizing plant. All of the following are offered by pot grown division.