Is mondo grass and monkey grass the same?

A: You have two kissing cousins growing in the same spot. Variegated monkey grass is Liriope muscari 'Variegata'. The shorter, dark green plant is mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus. The two look very similar but liriope is usually distinctly larger.

Considering this, what is the difference between mondo grass and liriope?

The leaves of mondo grass are more narrow than those of liriope. The berries of mondo grass are bright blue, while liriope berries are black. The flower stalks of liriope are usually quite showy, and stick out above the foliage. Mondo grass plants are typically shorter than liriope, and may be darker green.

One may also ask, how long does it take mondo grass to spread? Standard mondo grass reaches a mature spread up to 1 foot wide within a year or two, but dwarf mondo grass needs two to three years under ideal conditions to reach its spread of 3 to 4 inches.

Additionally, what is another name for monkey grass?

Liriope muscari is a species of low, herbaceous flowering plants from East Asia. Common names in English include big blue lilyturf, lilyturf, border grass, and monkey grass. It is a perennial with grass-like evergreen foliage and lilac-purple flowers which produce single-seeded berries on a spike in the fall.

What does mondo grass look like?

The basic type grows to around eight inches in height, but the leaves tend to bow down, giving it a shorter appearance and leading to a more full, lawn-like look. Mondo grass lawns need no mowing, tolerate pretty deep shade and are very drought resistant.

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How often do you water mondo grass?

Water the dwarf mondo grass thoroughly when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil becomes dry, usually every 10 to 14 days. Never allow the soil to become soggy, instead water to keep it evenly moist.

Why is it called monkey grass?

Monkey grass is a groundcover that looks very similar to turf grass. It is the common name for liriope (Liriope muscari), but it is also referred to as border grass.

How do you take care of mondo grass?

Care: Mondo grass likes part to full shade, and regular water. If plants start looking ragged, mow or shear before new growth beings in spring. Divide when clumps become overgrown, and replant divisions 6 to 8 inches apart. Planting: Plant mondo grass from spring through fall in well-drained soil.

Do you need to cut back liriope?

It is not necessary, but homeowners and landscapers often trim liriope just prior to spring to remove old-looking and tattered foliage. Time the pruning before new growth has started to emerge in the spring. The trimmed foliage is usually a good candidate for your compost.

How do you get rid of mondo grass?

The simplest and most effective method to remove monkey grass it to manually remove it. Dig around the monkey-grass bed, as just pulling out the plant doesn't help. Dig up the grass with a shovel or garden hoe. After digging-up the area, water it profusely to choke and leftover grass roots.

How do you stop monkey grass from spreading?

Digging the monkey grass will get the roots and will keep the spreading nature under control. Use a spade or shovel to dig down around the liriope. Till the area around the removed plants and over the ground with plastic or newspaper to help choke out further growth.

Is monkey grass good for erosion?

Liriope muscari (Border Grass, Monkey Grass)

Outstanding for erosion control. Liriope gracefully fills those spots where nothing else will grow and will choke out most weeds. It forms excellent outlines for formal gardens and is particularly suitable for southern gardens or in shady and dry places.

Does monkey grass like sun or shade?

All monkey grasses fall into one of two groups: the genuses Liriope or Ophiopogon. In general, all liriopes do well in filtered sun to full shade and aren't picky about soil. The most common is the clumping form (Liriope muscari), which is often used for edging.

Is monkey grass edible?

Despite accounts by pet owners of monkey-grass poisonings, experts say there is no evidence to suggest monkey grass is a threat. Gardening expert and author Walter Reeves notes that while Liriope seeds -- and other plant parts -- are not poisonous, they may "cause stomach upset when consumed in large quantities."

How do you encourage grass to spread?

Organic fertilizers or a mixture of fertilizer and compost facilitates uptake of nutrients by roots. Water new grass regularly. Keep soil moist until new grass becomes visible. Water daily or every other day, with the goal of giving new grass plants an inch of water per week.

What is monkey grass good for?

Monkey grass makes an excellent ground cover for shady areas, as these plants grow well in areas where other types of sun-loving grasses will not grow, such as under trees. It fills in slopes and its dense roots that spread underground grow in clumps that help prevent run off.

How do I rejuvenate my lawn?

Use a rake to remove dead grass and roughen the soil, then apply new seed with a drop or rotary spreader. Be sure to press the seed into the dirt with either a lawn roller or gentle, evenly spaced footsteps. Also, try to keep the area moist, and fertilize it with a high-phosphorus seed-starting fertilizer.

How can I make my monkey grass grow faster?

Apply a general 10-10-10 fertilizer in the fall or early spring before new growth begins. Fertilizer will help the monkey grass cover more ground quicker. Use 1 pound per 100 square feet of monkey grass. Water after application to wash the fertilizer from the foliage and to help it move into the soil.

Does monkey grass come back every year?

Once established, monkey grass slowly spreads, creating a carpet of green, arching blades 6 to 12 inches tall that doesn't require fertilizer, is rarely affected by insects or disease and only needs cutting back once a year.

What grass type do I have?

Despite the ability to tolerate the heat, Tall fescue is typically considered a cool- season grass. In some lawns, patches of tall fescue may stick out and appear as a grassy weed. It also has the widest leaf blade and grows in bunches, so you won't see it used very often in seed mixes.

Can I use Miracle Grow on grass?

Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food is the fast way to a thick, green lawn. Use with the Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder to feed up to 4,000 sq. on all grass types. With Miracle-Gro, your grass can be the pride of the neighborhood.

Is mondo grass poisonous to dogs?

Some plants, such as mondo grass, can be • killed by dog wee, so be careful about which plants you use where dogs frequently “go”.