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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 (Green Mondo Grass) growing as a groundcover in a woodland garden.

Ophiopogon japonicus

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Ophiopogon japonicus, commonly known as green Mondo Grass, is a striking ornamental grass. It grows as a clump and produces a dense tuft of grass-like, dark green leaves to about 25 cm tall and the same width. Ophiopogon japonicus performs best when mass planted and is commonly used in rock gardens, included in borders, planted as a ground cover, or maintained in a container.

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
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. Ophiopogon planiscapus is best showcased in mass plantings and is commonly added to rock gardens, used in borders, grown as a ground cover, planted around outdoor living areas, or simply maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 20 cm
Spread: 30 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
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.

Ophiopogon Silver Mist (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$8.78
Salvia Amistad with purple flowers and lush green foliage.

Salvia Amistad

Salvia Amistad is one of the purple Salvias grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long and slender, flower...

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Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.

Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover admired for its striking purple foliage and creeping...

From$24.23
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is a clump-forming plant with fine, near black foliage. The foliage is...

From$8.78
Anthurium Zizou Purple plant with purple flowers and green foliage.

Anthurium Zizou Purple'

Anthurium 'Zizou Purple' is a striking tropical plant admired for its rich purple blooms and glossy, heart shaped leaves. Perfect for New Zealand...

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corylus-maxima-purpurea-

Corylus maxima Purpurea

Corylus maxima Purpurea, commonly known as the Purple-Leaved Filbert tree, is grown for its attractive foliage and interesting catkins. This...

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Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$18.83
leptinella-pusilla-

Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons)

Leptinella pusilla, commonly known as the Purple Brass Buttons plant, is an herbaceous perennial native to New Zealand. It is a creeping and somewhat...

From$18.23
Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' flower cluster.

Hoya pubicalyx 'Royal Hawaiian Purple'

Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' is a popular variety that is commonly grown as an indoor plant. It produces elongated, dark green leaves held on...

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Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass)

Cymbopogon citratus (aka Andropogon citratus), commonly known as Lemongrass Grass or Citronella Grass, grows as a clump and produces flavoursome and...

From$20.18
Bougainvillea 'Purple Patch' purple-pink flowers and variegated foliage.

Bougainvillea 'Purple Patch'

Bougainvillea ‘Purple Patch’ is a dazzling climbing plant that delivers an abundance of rich purple bracts through the warmer months. Perfect for...

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Mesembryanthemum Purple Splendour

“Purple Splendour” is a variety of the commonly known, Iceplant, and is an herbaceous perennial grown for its spreading nature and pretty flowers. It...

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Fraxinus Purple Spire

Fraxinus Purple Spire is a popular variety of the commonly known, Claret Ash, and is grown for its impressive form and brilliant autumn colours. It...

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Hakonechloa albostriata plant with variegated foliage.

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata'

Hakonechloa macra 'Albostriata', commonly known as Japanese Forest Grass, is a stunning ornamental grass. It features variegated green foliage with...

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Anemanthele lessoniana grass with colourful, orange and green foliage growing in a pot.

Anemanthele lessoniana (Pheasant's Tail Grass)

Anemanthele lessoniana, also known as Pheasant's Tail Grass or New Zealand Wind Grass, is a graceful, clump-forming ornamental grass native to New...

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Libertia paniculata plant with white flowers.

Libertia paniculata (Grass Flag)

Libertia paniculata is an elegant evergreen perennial admired for its fine, upright foliage and delicate white flowers that appear in airy clusters...

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Lavender 'Sensation Purple' purple flowers above fresh, green foliage.

Lavender 'Sensation Purple'

Lavender 'Sensation Purple' is a compact and highly fragrant variety prized for its deep purple flower spikes and tidy growth habit. This popular...

From$24.98
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Isolepis cernua (Fiber-Optic Grass)

Isolepsis cernua (aka Scirpus cernua), commonly known as Fiber Optic Grass, grows as a tidy clump to about 25 cm tall and the same wide with green...

From$16.13
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Strelitzia Mandelas Gold (Yellow Crane Flower)

Strelitzia reginae Mandelas Gold, commonly known as Yellow Crane Flower or Yellow Bird Of Paradise, produces spectacular yellow flowers through...

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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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Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.

Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

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Phaedranthus buccinatorius (Mexican Blood Flower)

Phaedranthus buccinatorius, commonly known as the Mexican Blood Flower, is a stunning tropical climber. It features showy and fragrant, trumpet...

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Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

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An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.

Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$21.53
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.

Lomandra Echidna

The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

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Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple

Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple, commonly known as the Purple Beech tree, is grown for its beautiful colours and slender growth habit. The foliage...

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Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.

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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Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' specimen tree.

Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'

The Purple Fountain beech is a variety of European Beech tree that features colourful foliage and weeping branches. The glossy leaves emerge deep...

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Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

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Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

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Ophiopogon japonicus

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Anemanthele, Anthurium, Bougainvillea, Carex, Corylus, Cymbopogon, Dactylis, Dodonaea, Fagus, Festuca, Fraxinus, Hakonechloa, Hoya, Isolepis, Lavender, Leptinella, Libertia, Lomandra, Mesembryanthemum, Miscanthus, Ophiopogon, Phaedranthus, Salvia Sisyrinchium and Strelitzia, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Grasses, Mondo Grass, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs Succulents and Deciduous Trees.

Search mondo grass with purple flowers

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:

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.

Coprosma acerosa and Photinia 'Red Robin' are beloved staples, but Fraxinus Green Glow, Camellia 'Black Tie', and Olive 'El Greco' bring fresh energy to any planting scheme.
–The Plant Company

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