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black mondo grass ground cover

If you’re looking for a dramatic, low-maintenance solution for your landscape, black mondo grass ground cover could be the standout feature your garden needs. With its striking, deep purple-black foliage, this hardy plant brings a sophisticated touch to garden beds, borders, pathways, and patio pots. In New Zealand gardens, black mondo grass forms dense, weed-suppressing mats that thrive in a variety of conditions, making it a favourite for both modern and traditional planting schemes.

Ophiopogon planiscapus (Mondo Grass) with lush green foliage growing as a ground cover.

Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus, commonly known as Dwarf Lilyturf, is a Mondo grass grown for its fine, dark green foliage and short stature. The foliage is complemented with flower spikes in summer, which bear tiny, lilac flowers as it grows to 20 cm tall and 30 cm wide.

From $6.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 25 cm
Spread: 25 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
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Black Polythene - 1 m Wide

Black Polythene - 1 m Wide is a practical plastic sheeting option for garden, nursery, and landscaping applications. The black finish helps block light, making it useful for covering soil and suppressing unwanted plant growth.

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Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.
Coprosma kirkii 'variegata'

Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged...

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Coprosma 'Black Cloud' shrub in a garden with black and green foliage.
Coprosma 'Black Cloud' (Black Coprosma)

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Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.
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Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.
Carex solandri

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and...

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Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.
Carex 'Frosted Curls'

Carex 'Frosted Curls' is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm...

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Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

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Hedera canariensis variegata green and cream foliage.
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Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.
Carex flagellifera 'Green'

Carex flagellifera 'Green' is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows...

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Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.
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Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

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Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.
Lomandra 'Lime Tuff'

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass valued for its vibrant lime green foliage and compact tidy growth habit. This versatile...

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Coprosma kirkii green foliage held on yellow stems.
Coprosma kirkii

Coprosma kirkii, commonly known as Creeping Coprosma, is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub valued for its dense, trailing habit and small glossy...

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2m wide Black Polythene

This polythene is 80 microns thick, very durable, and suits a host of different uses. Please enquire about larger sizes and heavier grades. Available...

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Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' creeping stems with green foliage.
Hedera helix 'Needlepoint'

Hedera helix 'Needlepoint' is a refined evergreen ivy featuring small, deeply lobed leaves with a delicate, pointed shape. This compact and elegant...

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Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' ground cover shrub with brown stems and leaves.
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Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' is a unique ground covering evergreen shrub valued for its rich chocolate brown foliage and naturally spreading form. Well...

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Muehlenbeckia axillaris growing as a ground cover.
Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

Muehlenbeckia axillaris, commonly known as Creeping Wire Vine, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover with wiry stems and small, dark green...

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Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Carex comans 'Green'

Carex comans 'Green' is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

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Amenity Ryegrass Seed (Lawn Seed)

Rye Grass Seed lawns are quick to establish and features dark green leaves year-round. Our Amenity Rye Grass is a popular turf variety that is...

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Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (prostrate Juniper) growing as a tidy ground cover.
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (Japanese Dwarf Juniper)

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana', commonly known as the Prostrate Juniper, is a ground-hugging conifer that forms a carpet of blue-green, needle-like...

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Photinia Black Jack dark red foliage.
Photinia 'Black Jack'

Photinia 'Black Jack' is a distinctive evergreen shrub valued for its deep red to burgundy new growth, glossy green mature foliage, and dense...

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Vinca 'Elizabeth Cran' is an attractive evergreen perennial valued for its rich green foliage, spreading habit, and colourful seasonal flowers. Its...

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Rhododendron 'Black Magic' stunning, dark red flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Rhododendron 'Black Magic'

Rhododendron 'Black Magic' is a striking evergreen shrub renowned for its rich, dramatic flowers and glossy dark green foliage. During spring, the...

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Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' plants with green foliage and blue flowers growing in a garden bed.
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' (Bugleweed Plant) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy dark green leaves and striking blue flower...

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Heuchera 'Black Taffeta'

Heuchera 'Black Taffeta' is a dramatic perennial prized for its deeply cut, almost black foliage that provides exceptional contrast and year round...

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Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Black' lush foliage.
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Camellia 'Black Lace'

Camellia 'Black Lace' is a dramatic evergreen shrub admired for its deep velvety red blooms set against glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from...

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Camellia 'Black Tie'

Camellia 'Black Tie' is a sophisticated evergreen shrub admired for its large formal deep red blooms and glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from...

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Sansevieria 'Black Coral' plants growing in pots.
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Ophiopogon planiscapus

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carex, Coprosma, and Hedera, or related Categories - Black polythene, Evergreen Climbers, and Grasses.

Search black mondo grass ground cover

Why Choose Black Mondo Grass as a Ground Cover?

Black mondo grass ground cover offers much more than just bold colour contrast. Its rich, slender leaves retain their colour all year round, keeping your garden lively even in winter. This slow-spreading perennial adapts well to partial shade and full sun, tolerating dry soils once established. Its compact growth habit—typically reaching 15-20cm in height—makes it ideal for ground cover use along borders, under trees, between stepping stones, and as a lush underplanting for feature plants.

This plant isn’t just beautiful; it’s tough too. Black mondo grass is drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and rarely troubled by disease, making maintenance a breeze. In late spring and early summer, delicate lavender flowers may appear, followed by small, glossy black berries that provide extra visual interest throughout the year.

Popular Varieties of Black Mondo Grass

When searching for the perfect black mondo grass ground cover, there are several standout varieties to consider:

If you're considering contrasting planting alongside black mondo grass, smaller, green-leaved options such as Ophiopogon japonicus Nana or the lush Ophiopogon Kyoto can help design a layered and textured look.

How to Plant and Care for Black Mondo Grass Ground Cover

Planting black mondo grass as a ground cover is straightforward. Choose a spot with well-drained soil and either dappled shade or sun. Space individual plants about 15cm apart to allow them to spread and eventually knit together. Water new plantings regularly until they’re well established, then reduce irrigation—as this grass is known for its drought tolerance.

No need for regular mowing, and very little pruning is required—just remove any tired-looking leaves in early spring to keep the patch looking fresh.

Add Structure and Contrast to Your Landscape

Whether you’re creating formal rows along a garden border, planting between pavers, or looking for a landscape feature that asks very little in return, black mondo grass ground cover is a smart choice for Kiwi gardens both large and small. Browse our selection of striking dark grasses including Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, Ophiopogon Black Dragon, and Ophiopogon planiscapus, and discover how easy it is to transform your garden with these bold, beautiful ground covers.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' and Anigozanthos 'Masquerade' may be the stars of the show, but unsung heroes like Azalea 'Asawa', Vitex lucens, and Azalea 'Red Wings' deserve a moment in the sun.
–The Plant Company

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