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The term 'monkey grass'
is commonly used to refer to liriope and mondograss. These plants
are very different and to help gardeners determine the most appropiate
type of monkey grass for their intended application, we have developed
this webpage.
Monkey grass can be planted any time of the year, however, spring
and fall planting take advantage of lower temperatures and natural
rainfall. Watering is reduced and plants establish a strong root
system before summer. Water requirements vary with different plants
and your growing zone, in general, do not let the plants dry out
to the point of wilting. Applying a 2 inch layer of mulch will help
in moisture retention as well as the control of weeds.
Space plants according to their size, the immediate effect desired,
and their rate of growth and habit. If individual plants are spaced
too far apart, weeding can be problem; on the other extreme, too
close together can be a needless waste of time, money, and plant
material. It may take 2 to 3 years to establish groundcover areas.
Several extension services recommend application of a 12-4-8 or
16-4-8 fertilizer 6 weeks after planting, then make one application
in spring, another during summer, and a third in September. |
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This picture shows the
different types of monkey grass From left to right are Liriope
muscari, Liriope spicata (both types also called lilyturf),
Ophiogon japonicus, and a dwarf variety of Ophiogon japonicus
(both types also called mondo grass). For detailed
info about each variety, either click on the picture of each plant
or scroll down on this page.
I apologize for the copyright logo, but several of my pictures have
ended up in other sellers auctions or on webpages. |
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Liriope muscari
How to identify: leaves
are about 1/2-1 inch wide, roots are brownish color with nodules
on the roots and/or base of the leaves, no runners
Common name: Lilyturf,
Monkey Grass, Border Grass
Plant type:
perennial, herbaceous, ornamental grass
Height/Spread: clump/tufted
form, about 15-18 inches tall and 12 inches wide,
moderate growing speed
Ornamental Features: dense
evergreen with grasslike appearance, blooms in July/August with
lavender, purple, or white flower spikes, clusters of blue/black
berries in fall
USDA Hardiness zones:
5 through 11
Growing conditions:
drought and heat resistant, does well in sun or shade (foliage color
will be darker if grown in shade)
Use:
mass planting, edging, naturalizing, in front of foundation plantings
Care:
cut back old foliage in late winter before new growth emerges, be
careful not to injure the crown (lawnmower on highest setting)
Spacing:
8-12 inch centers in rows for a border, stagerred rows for mass
planting
new planting on 8 inch centers
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Liriope spicata
How to identify: leaves
are about 1/2-1 inch wide, roots are lighter brown/cream color with
white/cream runners (usually no longer than 8-10 inches before new
plant emerges)
Common name: Creeping
lilyturf, Monkey Grass, Border Grass
Plant type:
perennial, herbaceous, ornamental grass
Height/Spread: spreading
form, about 15-18 inches tall, spreads indefinitely (new plants
will emerge next to original plant, not on other side of garden),
forms dense mat, fast growing speed
Ornamental Features: dense
evergreen with grasslike appearance, blooms in July/August with
lavender or purple flower spikes, clusters of blue/black berries
in fall
USDA Hardiness zones:
5 through 11
Growing conditions:
drought and heat resistant, does well in sun or shade (foliage color
will be darker if grown in shade)
Use:
mass planting, naturalizing, base of shrubs, erosion control, lawn
replacement on slopes, can be used as edging if you are willing
to 'spade off' the runners every year
Care:
cut back old foliage in late winter before new growth emerges, be
careful not to injure the crown (lawnmower on highest setting)
Spacing:10-12
inch centers in rows for a border,staggered rows for
mass planting
new planting on 10
inch centers
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established planting prior to
spading the edge
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Ophiogon japonicus
How to identify: leaves are fine in
texture and about 1/8-1/4 inch wide, roots are brownish color with
brown runners (usually no more than 3-4 inches before new plant
emerges)
Common name:
Mondo Grass, Monley Grass, Border Grass
Plant type:
perennial, herbaceous, ornamental grass
Height/Spread:
forms clumps, about 10-12 inches tall (leaves are longer but drape
over), spreads by runners,
moderate growing speed
Ornamental Features: dense
evergreen with grasslike appearance, white/lavender blooms in July/August,
flowers are hidden by the foliage, clusters of blue/cream berries
in fall
USDA Hardiness zones:
6 through 11
Growing conditions:
drought and heat resistant once established, sun or shade (foliage
color will be darker if grown in shade)
Use:
groundcover, border along paths, edging
Care:
may need to use shears or weedeater to remove shaggy leaves every
few years
Spacing:
6-8 inch centers in staggered rows
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new planting on
4 inch centers |
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mondoberries
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established planting
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Ophiogon japonicus (dwarf)
How to identify: leaves
are coarser in texture and about 1/4-1/2 inch wide, roots are brownish
colorwith brown runners (usually no more than 1-2 inches before
new plant emerges)
Common name:
Mini Mondo Grass, Dwarf Monley Grass
Plant type:
perennial, herbaceous, ornamental grass,
Height/Spread:
about 2-3 inches tall, spreads by
runners, slow growing speed
Ornamental Features: lush
and dense evergreen with grasslike appearance, rarely flowers, we
have not seen any berries on this type
USDA Hardiness zones:
6 through 11
Growing conditions:
drought and heat resistant once established, filtered sun or shade
(foliage color will be darker if grown in shade), we have seen this
plant used successfully in sunny locations (about 4 hours direct
sun) with adequate watering
Use:
between stepping stones or pavers, edging, tucked into rocks, makes
excellent shade-tolerant lawn replacement under trees and shrubs
that never needs mowing
Care:
may need to mow to remove shaggy leaves every few years
Spacing:
4-6 inch centers in staggered rows
new planting
on 4 inch centers in staggered row
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How
many plants do I need?
Liriopes produce solid
coverage in 2-3 years when planted on 10-12 inch centers,
ophiogons should be planted on 6-8 inch centers to achieve
the same results. This information should be used as a general
guideline for most landscape applications. Your particular
situation will be dictated by your budget, your ultimate
goal, and your patience.
| Centers * |
Plants per square foot |
Area (in square feet) |
Total plants needed |
| 4" |
7 |
x |
= |
| 6" |
4 |
x |
= |
| 8" |
2.25 |
x |
= |
| 10" |
1.44 |
x |
= |
| 12" |
1 |
x |
= |
* from the center of one plant to another
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Information for this
page was gathered from websites of several agricultural
extension offices and plant encyclopedias. We believe
the data to be correct, but if you feel this page need
modification, please contact us by clicking here |
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