{"product_id":"black-mondo-ophiopogon-nigrescens","title":"Black Mondo - Ophiopogon nigrescens","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlack Mondo (\u003cem\u003eOphiopogon nigrescens\u003c\/em\u003e) is a bold groundcover with nearly jet-black, grass-like leaves, 30cm high and wide. Lilac flower spikes appear in the warmer months. It makes a dramatic edging, border or pot plant, and the dark colour stands out against pale gravel, silver foliage or coloured plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNear black leaves.\u003c\/strong\u003e The strappy foliage is so dark it reads as black, a colour almost no other garden plant offers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLilac flower spikes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale lilac flowers rise through the dark leaves in summer, a pretty contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA natural contrast plant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It makes coloured foliage and flowering plants look brighter beside it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and evergreen.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 30cm by 30cm it forms tidy clumps that stay neat all year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGarden or pot.\u003c\/strong\u003e It suits borders, rockeries, underplanting and containers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBorders and path edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 20cm apart for a continuous dark band along paths and garden beds. It is slower to spread than green mondo, so closer planting gives you a fuller effect sooner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and gravel gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Black leaves against pale stone or gravel makes a graphic contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e For a dramatic block of black, plant 20cm apart in a drift beneath shrubs or trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single pot of black mondo, or a group of three, makes a strong statement on a patio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Black Mondo in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade suits it. It copes with most climates from the subtropics southward, and frost is no worry. In very hot western sun, give it some afternoon shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e It prefers moist, well drained soil. Mulch to hold moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. It tolerates dry conditions but thrives with regular water, and it is less drought tolerant and less vigorous than the green form. A light feed in spring suits it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Very little. Tidy damaged leaves at the base in late winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Black Mondo as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives small and slim, and it grows on slowly, so plant it at a close spacing for faster cover. Keep it watered through its first summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur grower does not always have tube stock available. When there is none, this page shows the tube as sold out, and the notify button will email you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/ground-covers-for-low-maintenance-gardens\"\u003eLow maintenance ground covers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/know-mondo-grass\"\u003eMondo grass: types, spacing and how fast it grows\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rockery-plants\"\u003eRockery plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003eGrasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs black mondo really a grass?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, it is a lily relative with grass-like leaves, which is why it never needs mowing. It forms clumps rather than a lawn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does it spread?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlowly. It is less vigorous than the green form, so plant it closely, about 20cm apart, if you want a fuller look in good time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it suits container planting. Use a quality potting mix, keep it evenly moist and give it a spot with sun or part shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790861140287,"sku":"OPH-NIG-tube","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/black-mondo-ophiopogon-nigrescens.jpg?v=1792209653","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/black-mondo-ophiopogon-nigrescens","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}