Ophiopogon planiscapus is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. It is a small evergreen perennial growing to 20 cm (8 in) tall by 30 cm (12 in)wide.[1] It grows from short rhizomes, and bears tufts of grasslike leaves, from which purple or white flowers emerge in racemes held on short stems above the leaves. It is native to Japan, where it grows on open and forested slopes.[2][3]
Garden use
The cultivar 'Kokuryu' (black mondo) is grown as groundcover, or as underplanting for larger shrubs. Its leaves turn from green to dark purple (black) and can grow to 8 in (20 cm) tall and 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) wide. The pale lilac flowers are followed by black berries. It is also known as 'Black Dragon', 'Nigra' or 'Nigrescens'.[4] It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5]
There are also two variegated forms called 'Little Tabby' and 'Silver Ribbon'. These are green with white borders around the leaves.[6]
Propagation
The plants spread by underground stolons with thick fleshy roots making fair sized colonies which can be separated by division in the spring. It also produces fruits with berries.
References
- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
- ^ European Garden Flora vol. 1, p. 266
- ^ When Perennials Bloom: An Almanac for Planning and Planting by Tomasz Aniśko, p. 342
- ^ "Ohiopogon planiscapus". RHS. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ "RHS Plant Selector - Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Kokuryu'". Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ Aniśko, Tomasz (2008). When perennials bloom : an almanac for planning and planting. Portland: Timber Press. ISBN 9780881928877. OCLC 191846797.
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