Mondo Grass - Great For Rock Gardens - 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
Mondo Grass is a favorite to many people.
There are a couple of different varieties
of Monkey grass.
This is
standard Mondo Grass and
will mature up to eighteen inches in
height and twelve to eighteen inches in
width. A slow grower but very
durable once established. The standard 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.
Mondo Grass also creates a unique look with the Loropetalum family.
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. The dwarf is a great plant
to go with 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 a staggered style.
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.