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Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
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mondo grass with purple flowers

If you're searching for mondo grass with purple flowers, you're not alone—many gardeners appreciate the striking colour contrast these plants add to shady borders and underplantings. While true mondo grass (Ophiopogon species) is celebrated for its lush, grassy foliage and subtle flowers, finding the perfect variety to give you those eye-catching purple blooms requires knowing your options and a bit of botanical know-how. Here, we’ll demystify your choices and guide you towards stunning plants for your New Zealand garden.

Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Nana' is a dwarf or mini Mondo Grass grown for its delicate, dark green foliage. Flower spikes are borne in summer and bear tiny, lilac flowers, which are followed by blue-black berries as it grows to 15 cm tall and 20 cm wide. Ophiopogon japonicus' Nana' is best showcased with a mass planting and is commonly added to rock gardens, used in borders, grown as a ground cover, planted between pavers, or used around outdoor living areas. It can also be maintained in a container.

Buy Ophiopogon japonicus Nana

From $9.38

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Grasses

Height: 15 cm

Spread: 20 cm

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Colourful Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple' plants with purple flowers.

Liriope 'Royal Purple'

Liriope 'Royal Purple', commonly known as Monkey Grass, produces strap-like, dark green leaves that become adorned with masses of showy, deep violet-purple flowers. This herbaceous perennial grows as a tidy clump, reaching approximately 40 cm in height and 45 cm in width. Liriope 'Royal Purple' is an excellent choice for cottage gardens, adding to a mixed planting, or for use in borders or around outdoor living areas.

Buy Liriope 'Royal Purple'

From $18.83

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Grasses

Height: 40 cm

Spread: 45 cm

Flowering time: Summer, Autumn

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Shade

Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Is There a True Mondo Grass With Purple Flowers?

The term “mondo grass” is often applied broadly to a range of tufted, grassy-looking perennials, but not all produce showy purple flowers. The most common variety, Ophiopogon japonicus, does flower, with blooms in shades of white or pale lilac that nestle within the foliage. If you’re hoping for a true low-growing, grass-like plant with more pronounced purple blooms, it's worth exploring related species.

The Liriope Connection

Many gardeners searching for mondo grass with purple flowers are actually thinking of Liriope, also known as lilyturf. While Liriope is not a true mondo grass, it shares its lush appearance and hardy, low-maintenance nature. For standout purple flower spikes, Liriope 'Royal Purple' is a top choice. This variety showcases deep green strappy foliage and highly decorative, upright spikes of intense purple that make an impressive show from late summer into autumn.

Popular Mondo Grass Varieties

If you’re drawn to the neat, fine-leaved form of mondo grass, several attractive Ophiopogon options work beautifully for groundcovers, borders, and containers:

Ophiopogon japonicus Nana: A dwarf selection perfect for edging paths and filling in between pavers. It forms a dense mat and displays tiny, delicate flowers in shades of lavender.
Ophiopogon planiscapus: Featuring a taller, arching form and sometimes deep purple-black foliage, this variety produces small, soft purple blooms in summer. Its unusual colour adds drama to mixed plantings.
Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass): Valued for its variegated foliage, this ground-hugging mondo also produces understated, light lilac to white flowers.

Where to Grow Mondo Grass With Purple Flowers

Mondo grass and related varieties thrive in shaded to partially shaded spots with moist, free-draining soil. Their adaptability makes them ideal for filling gaps in difficult spots under trees, along garden borders, or in container displays. With their robust evergreen leaves and subtle seasonal blooms, they provide year-round interest and are well-suited to New Zealand’s climate.

Conclusion

While true mondo grass with intense purple flowers is rare, exploring allied species like Liriope 'Royal Purple' or distinct Ophiopogon selections will help you create vibrant, textured plantings. Browse our full range—including Ophiopogon japonicus, Ophiopogon japonicus Nana, Ophiopogon planiscapus, and Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)—to find the perfect groundcover for your garden. If your heart is set on plumes of bold purple, don’t overlook the show-stopping Liriope 'Royal Purple'.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.