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Ophiopogon clarkei (Clark's Lily Turf) - A dense evergreen, low-growing rhizomatous grass-like plant to 8 inches tall with long (up to 12 inches) dark green narrow (1/4") leaves and short racemes of small lilac-tinged white flowers in summer that are followed by dark purple berries. The long length and narrowness of the leaves causes them to arch over gracefully. It is a moderately vigorous spreader via rhizomes (underground stems) but does not seem to be so vigorous that it is invasive, and it does not move into drier soils.
Grows in full sun to light shade with regular garden watering but is surprising tolerant of only occasional irrigation once established. Hardy to below 0F and useful in zones USDA 7-10. A useful ground cover with a more open and taller habit than the denser growing Mondo Grass, Ophiopogon japonicus.
Clark's Lily Turf is found growing naturally in forests, scrub forests, cliffs, stream sides in northeast India, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, east Xizang and northwest Yunnan at altitudes between 6,500 and 11,500 feet. The name for the genus described by John Bellenden Ker Gawler in 1807 comes from the Greek words 'ophis' meaning a "snake" and 'pogon' meaning a "beard", "hair" or "tuft" originating from the Japanese name riuno fige meaning "snake's beard" that was a name used for Ophiopogon japonicus, the type species of the genus. The specific epithet was Joseph Hooker's name to honor fellow British botanist Charles Baron Clarke (1832 –1906), who collected many plants in the Indian subcontinent and worked with Hooker at The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Besides the name Himalayan Mondo Grass, other common names include Himalayan Mondo Grass or Bhutan Lilyturf (or Lily Turf). Though formally placed in the family Liliaceae and later in the Ruscaceae, it is now placed in the subfamily Nolinoideae within the family Asparagaceae. It was first introduced into cultivation by the Bureau of Plant Industry (USDA) in 1940 (BPI 133119 and BPI 135803-1940).
We thank John Greenlee for first introducing us to this charming little plant that graces several locations in our garden and has become a favorite of a few discerning landscape designers, who note that it is a great understory for larger shrubs. We have grown this plant since 1990.
The information about Ophiopogon clarkei displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
