Black mondo grass, or ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens, is a type of evergreen perennial lily-grass native to Korea and Japan. The leaves of the plant are typically black with a purplish tinge, but may have a greenish tinge on an immature plant. Its flowers are usually small, bell-shaped, and purple-white in color. Black mondo grass is hardy and often needs very little care in order to flourish. It spreads slowly and thrives in temperate zones.
Black mondo grass is an evergreen perennial grass often grown ornamentally as a garden plant. Its leaves are usually dark purple to black in color and about 1/4 inch (0.5 cm) wide. New leaves may appear green in hue, but turn black as they mature. Black mondo grass produces bell-shaped, pale lavender blooms in the summer and shiny black berries throughout the winter. The plant can grow as tall as 15 inches (38.1 cm).
Typically preferring partial shade to full sun, black mondo grass generally needs well-drained soil, and can be a good choice for rock gardens. The plant typically requires little attention and little fertilization to thrive, and is not considered particularly attractive to parasites. It grows in small clumps, and spreads slowly through its roots. Smaller plants will typically appear not far from the parent plants. Black mondo grass is propagated through separating the root clumps in the spring.
Because evergreen grasses like black mondo grass aren't considered true grasses, but only grass-like plants, they should always be divided in the spring. Evergreen grasses such as black mondo grass do not typically undergo periods of dormancy, such that dividing the root clumps invariably injures the plant to some degree. Dividing root clumps only in the spring can allow the plants enough time to recover before winter. If plants aren't allowed to recover from root clump division, they may not survive the colder months.
Many prefer to grow black mondo grass in the shady areas of the garden, as it can usually be cultivated in the shade of larger plants. Black mondo grass is considered a desirable ornamental plant for its striking foliage, which emits a pleasant fragrance when brushed against or trod upon. As a landscape plant, it is often used as edging and can highlight the lighter foliage of other plants in the garden.
