landscaping with monkey grass

Can monkey grass take full sun?

All monkey grasses fall into one of two groups: the genuses Liriope or Ophiopogon. In general, all liriopes do well in filtered sun to full shade and aren't picky about soil. The most common is the clumping form (Liriope muscari), which is often used for edging. ... 'Big Blue' is the perfect choice for dry shade.

What is the difference between mondo grass and monkey grass?

Variegated monkey grass is Liriope muscari 'Variegata'. The shorter, dark green plant is mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus. The two look very similar but liriope is usually distinctly larger.

Is monkey grass invasive?

There are two types of liriope or monkey grass-not just variegated and green. There are clumping forms and spreading forms, and they both have variegated and solid green plants available. The spreading form is Liriope spicata and is quite invasive.

What is monkey grass good for?

Monkey grass is an attractive plant for edging walkways and creating borders for flower beds. Planting monkey grass divisions 6 to 8 inches apart is best for lining walkways and defining or adding texture to flowerbeds. Monkey grass is slow growing and clump-forming, requiring little maintenance.

Does monkey grass need to be cut back?

Trim: Although cutting back your monkey grass isn't a necessity, it is recommended. As the leaves on the plant begin to age, they develop brown spots on the tips that won't do much for the beauty of your yard.

Where does monkey grass grow best?

Liriope Muscari (Monkey Grass)

It grows well in zones 5 through 10, so it will not grow in areas with extreme heat or cold. It is better suited for southern landscapes, but will grow in northern climates as well.

How do you keep monkey grass from spreading?

Monkey grass needs to be contained with a root barrier to keep it from spreading. That is because it spreads by rhizomes and bulblets. Without a root barrier of at least 12-18 inches deep, any digging, thining, or smothering you do will not work for very long.

Is monkey grass poisonous to dogs?

Toxicity Conclusions

Despite accounts by pet owners of monkey-grass poisonings, experts say there is no evidence to suggest monkey grass is a threat. According to numerous sources, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, monkey grass is nontoxic; it does not pose a threat to humans or animals.

Does monkey grass stay green all year?

Each spring, monkey grass grows a fresh set of leaves, so it can easily recover from an annual pruning. ... That way it will stay green all winter and insulate its roots from the cold, then after trimming the monkey grass only be bare for a few weeks while new leaves grow.

How do you kill monkey grass naturally?

Make sure to remove and dispose of ALL monkey grass to prevent new growth. Observe the affected area for the next two weeks and see if there is any growth. If so, then dig up these roots again and spray it with white vinegar, ensuring that you don't spray other plants nearby. The white vinegar can kill plants.

Why is my monkey grass dying?

Monkey grass crown rot, like any crown rot disease, is caused by a fungus that thrives in moist and warm conditions. Normally, this problem is found in warmer, more humid states, but it can occur in cooler areas as well.

Does monkey grass attract mosquitoes?

The mosquitos very densly swarm around the Monkey Grass (Liriope muscari and Ophiopogon japonicus) I was using as a garden liner! After a little research on mosquitos, my hypothesis was that the males, which don't drink blood and feed on nectar, are attracted to the monkey grass inflorescences.

How do you plant a monkey grass border?

Planting Monkey Grass

Dig the hole at least 18-inches deep to loosen the ground and ensure adequate drainage of water away from the roots. Roots that sit in soggy soil will end up developing root rot. Add some organic compost to the bottom of the hole, and work it into the ground with a garden fork.

Which Liriope Cannot spread?

Liriope muscari is the "clumping" kind that does not spread by runners and basically stays where you put it. It blooms purple, not white like spicata, but it shares all the good qualities of the spreading kind - incredible toughness and adaptability - without the invasive behavior.

How do you kill weeds in monkey grass?

Spraying a broad-leaf herbicide will kill the monkey grass. Image herbicide will kill some broadleaf weeds but not affect the monkey grass. You may just need to manually pull the weeds you can't kill.

Is monkey grass a perennial?

An evergreen perennial, liriope — also known as lilyturf and monkey grass — makes a great ground cover and border plant in the landscape.

Can you transplant monkey grass?

The best time for transplanting monkey grass is the same as for most perennials – when the plant is dormant. Typically this would be in the beginning of the spring before new growth starts. It is easily moved, though, and can be transplanted right through mid summer.

Does Roundup kill monkey grass?

If you want to get rid of monkey grass, the only way to control it is to use a product that contains glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-Up. Be careful spraying Round-Up in your lawn as it is a non-selective herbicide and will kill both the Liriope and your desired grass.

How far apart should monkey grass be planted?

Space monkey grass seeds 12 inches apart, and they will grow together to form a solid mat.

When should I fertilize my monkey grass?

Answer: Although monkey grass doesn't typically require a lot of fertilization, it is typically recommended that you fertilize it in the spring or summer, when it is at the peak of it's growing season.