Mondo Grass - Great For Rock Gardens And A Ground Cover

Mondo Grass is a wonderful evergreen plant specimen. The plant can create a versatile look with many trees, shrubs, and flowers. This specie is native to China and Japan. It is also known to many as Monkey Grass. The grass is also considered an ornamental plant. In the United States this plant grows well in zones six through ten. It thrives in light shade to full shade. Many ornamental grass specimens can be planted as ground covers and in rock gardens, but the Mondo Grass is a favorite to many people. There are a couple of different varieties of Monkey grass.

Standard

Close Up Of Standard

This is standard Mondo Grass will mature up to eighteen inches in height and twelve to eighteen inches in width. This is a slow grower but very durable once established. This Monkey grass variety can enhance a larger garden and accent some variegated evergreen species such as the Cypress family. This variety can be used as a border and also in front of a back drop of ever green Arborvitaes, Pines or Cryptomeria. The Standard Mondo Grass also creates a unique look with the Loropetalum family. A smaller version of Monkey grass is the dwarf.

Dwarf

Close Up Of Dwarf

The dwarf will only mature four to six inches tall and around six to twelve inches wide. The dwarf is a classic for rock gardens and accenting stepping stones and other styles of walkways. I have used the dwarf in many different garden settings. This is a great plant to go with in designing within a design. It can be planted in a straight row as a border, spread throughout a garden or create a snake pattern, winding each grass plant in between shrubs and perennial flowers. Below is a picture of a newly planted small raised bed. There is a series of three dwarf Monkey plants in staggered planting style.

Series Of Three In Rock Garden

The grass is accented with a little larger plant, the Blue Star Juniper. The teal color in the Blue Star, gives the garden different evergreen tones. There is also a variety called Black Monkey Grass. The Black grass will grow well in zones five through ten and has a very dark green to black long and thin leaf. Lavender flowers appear in the summertime. Another specimen is variegated that does well in zones seven through ten. The leaves are cream and green. Many people will get this plant confused with Liriope. In the garden project section, there is a page on bordering with Liriope.

Mondo Grass can be used in so many different outdoor settings. It's soft texture and slender leaves creates a splendid accent or focal point for your garden, walkway or rock garden. A truly great plant to consider in your landscape.