If you are an experienced gardener you have probably read about mondo grass. These grasses are widely used in tropical countries since mondo grass can endure heat as well as partial or full shade. This grass is widely used as borders in the yard, as a ground covering, driveway lining, yard outline, and flowerbed trim. The various types of mondo grass enable you, the landscape designer, gardener, or ordinary homeowner, to decide which one will best suit your garden or your house as a whole. Here are some of the popular styles:
The first is common mondo grass, which grows like a thick carpet with its dark green, slender, 12- 15 inches long leaves. Second is dwarf mondo grass which is also dark green in color, grows and extends slower than common mondo grass, with tighter, closer bunches and a smaller size. Its leaves grow only about 3 inches long and it gives depth to borders and between stepping stones. Super dwarf mondo grass from Japan is also dark green in nature, grows 1 ½, expands slower and is the tiniest of all mondo grasses. It is commonly used in bonsai arrangements, indoor planting and flower beds.
Another type is the silver mist, which grows 10 inches long with white and green slender leaves. It is used with other grasses since it adds contrast and texture to the area. Another favorite is aztec grass, which is very similar to silver mist. It is a multicolored (snow white and green) plant. it has 12-18 inch clumps, making it larger than the silver mist.
Most types of mondo grass are planted as individual tufts, with a distance of 4-12 inches, but slow spreading mondo grasses–like the dwarf varieties–should be at a distance of 2-4 inches apart. Don’t put too much pressure as you plant them in the ground, just make sure it is pressed gently and that all the roots are well covered. Let the plants grow by themselves and don’t disturb the soil for a week or two. It won’t grow at a high quality when continuously touched.
At this stage, it is very beneficial to use compost to help them get the nutrients they need in growing. Slugs, snails and several insects can cause ugly spots in the leaves, but you may use oil-based insecticides to easily get them off.
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