Back to Beds
Black mondo grass: officially the favourite, 28 Sept 2026
Black mondo grass
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'
Almost jet-black, strappy leaves that look good all year round. Officially the favourite grass in the garden. Slow-growing and very tough; it'll make small black berries after its summer flowers.
Part of the border bed, planted out in spring 2026.
- Common name
- Black mondo grass
- Section
- Beds
- Spot
- Garden (border bed)
- Soil
- Garden soil (tbc)
- Options
Potential
Dark foliage for contrasting border edges, small containers or mixed planting with lighter leaves.
- From
- Grown on from online plugs, or bought from a local independent garden centre, spring 2026
- Age
- About 2 years
- Next repot
- Not needed: it's in the ground
- Edible
- ❌ Not for eating.
- Hardy
- ✅ Fully
- Garden-centre price
- about £8
Did you know?
Not a grass: it's in the asparagus family.
Care & updates
- What to expect
- Evergreen, so the black leaves keep their colour all year. Small pale lilac flowers in summer, followed by black berries. Spreads slowly. Flowers Jun–Aug.
No updates yet.
🎮
Mega Drive moment
PGA Tour Golf (Mega Drive)
The finest grass on the Mega Drive, for the finest grass in the garden.
Look it up →