January Plant of the Month

An unusual, evergreen, grass-like perennial which I find people tend to love or hate; perhaps because it looks slightly menacing with it’s inky purple leaves. The leaves form grassy tufts that will spread slowly to form low growing clumps. In summer, small spikes of bell-shaped, pale mauve flowers appear followed by round, dark blue fruit. It is easy to grow in sun or part shade and is fully hardy.

Ophiopogon adds drama to the border and can be used to good effect in pots, especially when planted to contrast with silver or lime green foliage. I have snowdrops growing through a clump in my garden and the later flowering bulb, Ipheion uniflorum. It’s delicate, pale blue flowers look stunning peeping through the dark foliage. 

On a recent ‘Gardener’s World’ programme, a great swathe of Ophiopogon was shown as ground cover under a grove of Witch Hazels (Hamamelis) at the Hillier Arboretum. The effect was stunning with the yellow flowers of the Witch Hazel highlighted against the black foliage. This is a plant that is far from dark and dreary when used imaginatively.