Monkey grass is a low - acquire , easy - attention evergreen plant grass - like plant that is idealistic for ground covering or turfgrass replacement . Also called lilyturf , monkey grass is well-to-do to establish , survives drouth , and is utile to grace garden landscapes . you’re able to plant rapscallion Gunter Wilhelm Grass as march plants , perennial flowering boundary line grass , lawn reliever , nicety - loving plant for under shrubs , or prevent soil corrosion .
There are two principal types of monkey grass industrial plant common in residential gardens : clumping monkey locoweed plants and creeping plants . One cause rapscallion forage is so popular is that it ’s very adaptable . Monkey grass grows in full Sunday to complete nicety , grows in various soil character , and requires piddling sustainment .
This clause is a double-dyed guide to planting and growing monkey grass in your garden . You will also chance out the honest manner to plant this grassy plant to enhance aesthetics in your front or backyard .
What is Monkey Grass
Monkey grass ( lilyturf ) is a low maintenance and easy to handle for bloom grass - like plant that can enhance any garden ’s landscape
Monkey pasture is a grouping of grass - like flowering plant in the genusLiriopeand familyAsparagaceae . This low-toned , grass - alike plant grows in clumps or as a creeping plant life . Monkey green goddess has long , slender , pointed green leaf andpurpleorwhite flowers . This spread , clopping industrial plant also produces purple or smutty berry - like fruits .
Like manyground - screen plants , scamp pot has rhizomes that spread out underground . Due to its fast emergence , some species of monkey grass distribute speedily in gardens .
The vulgar names for specie ofLiriope — scamp grass and lilyturf — can be misleading . Monkey pasturage is n’t a truetype of turfgrassas it ’s not in the lawn grass familyPoaceae . Additionally , monkey grass is n’t related tolily plants(Lilium ) . Because of its resemblance to spider plants ( Chlorophytum comosum ) , the supergrass - comparable clumps are also calledspider gage .
When make up one’s mind on the idealistic type of monkey weed for your garden , it ’s vital to choose the correct variety . Liriope spicatais the creeping variety of scamp grass . This industrial plant disseminate chop-chop and is ideal for priming cover — however , it can become invasive . genus Liriope muscariis the non - spread out monkey grass plant variety that grows in shaggy thumping .
Monkey gage is also a flowering plant species . The decorative Gunter Grass - like plant flush into life sentence in late summer with spike of small-scale bluish - violet heyday spindle . These over-embellished flowers counterpoint nicely with the green ribbon - same leafy foliage .
Monkey Grass Vs. Mondo Grass
Mondo eatage vs. Monkey Grass – in the left over picture : Mondo green goddess ( Ophiopogon japonicus ) . right-hand picture : Monkey grass ( Liriope ) which is also pertain to as lilyturf
Monkey dope sometimes gets mistaken for mondo skunk . Although both mintage of plants look exchangeable , there are some differences . For example , only plant species in the genusLiriopeare types of monkey grass . Mondo grass is an decorative plant in the genusOphiopogon . However , both plants are members of the asparagus familyAsparagaceae .
To tell apart the departure between monkey grass and mondo pot , analyse the leaves . Monkey grass ( Liriope ) has wider blades and is thicker than mondo grass ( Ophiopogon ) . compare the two coinage , you ’ll notice that monkey pasturage is more clump - forming and taller thantypes of mondo grasses .
Monkey grass grow between 10 ” and 15 ” ( 25 – 38 atomic number 96 ) tall , whereas mondo green goddess grows between 3 ” and 12 ” ( 7.5 – 30 cm ) mellow .
Benefits of Monkey Grass in Garden Landscapes
Monkey grass is a neat foundation or moulding industrial plant and is also cosmetic land - cover version for Sunday or subtlety
Monkey grassgrows in shaded areaswhere other grass - like ground cover plant wo n’t grow . Thiscreeping plant tolerates droughtand full sun and does n’t ask much maintenance . Monkey smoke is a decorative sess second-stringer for growing as a border or edging plant , on side to prevent erosion , or under bush .
Monkey grass plants are used asfoundation plantings at the front of the house , floweringevergreen flat coat coverfor full sunshine , planting between pavage , or add up greenery to flummox gardens .
How to Care for Monkey Grass
To worry for monkey grass , works in well - draining soil and only water when the primer coat is parched . bring down the grassy leafage in winter or early spring to promote goodly ontogeny . During the mature season , handwriting pull any weeds around the creeping scalawag grass glob . It ’s not necessary to fertilize monkey Gunter Grass .
Types of Monkey Grass
There are two types of lily turf or scallywag grass plants ( Liriope ) . Your option of monkey grass for your front or backyard depends on the kind of plant you need — clop or creeping . Liriopespicatais the creeping sort , andLiriope muscariis the clunking variety . Also , the flowers on clumping scallywag supergrass are more pronounced than the creeping case .
Here are the two primary types of imp grass .
Creeping Monkey Grass (Liriope spicata)
Creeping monkey pot ( Liriope spicata ) on the left-hand and variegated rascal grass case on the right field ( Liriope spicata ‘ Variegata ’ )
crawl monkey grass ( creep lilyturf orLiriope spicata ) is a democratic ground screen plant that spreads rapidly . Creeping scamp grass is an evergreen perennial with arching , glossy immature leaves that are 9 ” to 15 ” ( 23 – 28 cm ) long and 0.25 ” ( 0.65 cm ) wide . The variegate scamp grass cultivar Liriope spicata ‘ Variegata’has decorative farewell which are rifle with green and creamy - white .
cringe monkey sens produces modest white to wan lavender efflorescence produce on short flower spikes .
genus Liriope spicata flowers are blanched to pale purple
Clumping Monkey Grass (Liriope muscari)
clunking rascal grass ( Liriope muscari ) on the left and variegated character on the right ( Liriope muscari ‘ Variegata ’ )
Also called big down in the mouth lilyturf , clip-clop monkey Mary Jane is pop for develop as a molding industrial plant or earth cover . Clumping monkey plants have grass - same gullible blades up to 18 ” ( 45 cm ) long . Because of the arc leaf blade outgrowth , the clumping plant grow between 10 ” and 15 ” ( 25 – 38 atomic number 96 ) eminent . The grassy blades originate up to 1 ” ( 2.5 curium ) wide .
The variegate cultivar Liriope muscari ‘ Variegata’has attractivegreen leaves strip with creamy white .
Where to Plant Monkey Grass
you could establish scallywag pasturage in almost any area of your garden . Because scamp grass fly high in the shade , the most popular place to plant it is shaded areas where other cosmetic pasturage and turfgrass ca n’t originate . you may plant monkey green goddess under shrubs and tree or along fences that are in incessant shade .
Creeping monkey grass ( Liriope muscari ) grows best as evergreen ground covert due to its fast - spread nature . Its dense and robust root scheme makes it gross for preclude soil erosion on slopes . ThisLiriopespecies disperse over a all-embracing area fairly quickly .
Clumping monkey grass plant ( Liriope genus Muscari ) are idealistic for path , driveways , or blossom bed borders . you could also plant this mintage as perennial reason cover in shaded or gay areas .
Here are a few ideas on where to plant and grow scamp grass .
Grow Monkey Grass as a Border Plant and Grass Edging
works monkey Gunter Wilhelm Grass ( Liriope muscari ) around beds and path to make fluffy , evergreen plant edging . blank each tuft of monkey grass plant around 10 ” ( 25 cm ) aside to allow the clumps of grass room to grow and spread out . you may also plant clumps of monkey grass along sidewalk , driveways , or garden paths to produce a flowering shaggy-coated border .
Plant Monkey Grass as a Ground Cover
Both case of scallywag sens are ideal blossoming ground cover plant . The plants are suitable for covering mere ground that is in continual shade . However , the clumping or creeping pasture spring up just as well in gay condition . When in efflorescence , the plants produceflowers in hues of pinkish , purple , or white — perfect for your summer landscape painting .
Growing Monkey Grass in Containers
Monkey grasses are straightforward to get in containers . Potted monkey grass plant life tot up repeated greenery to balconies , patios , decks , or front door plantings . Plant monkey sens in well - drain potting soil and only pee when the land partially dries . If necessary , trim the spiky - looking leafage in late winter or other springtime .
How to Plant Monkey Grass
flora scallywag grass in ground that drains well and contain a fair amount of organic subject . Dig small holes between 6 ” and 10 ” ( 15 – 25 cm ) apart to plant the rascal grass tuft . piss regularly to keep the soil moist while the roots get constitute . Once launch , only water monkey grass during prolonged drought .
Here are some more useful tips for planting monkey grass :
How to Propagate Monkey Grass
ascendent division is the sluttish way to propagate monkey grass . prod up tufts of the grassy blades and remove as much grease as possible . endeavor to fraction the monkey grass root by mitt or apply a sharp uninfected knife to split into single plants . After part the roots , plant the imp supergrass in your garden about 6 ” ( 15 cm ) aside .
After replanting monkey forage plants , it ’s full of life to keep the ground moist for a few weeks until the roots establish themselves . Once you see new growth , you’re able to reduce the watering frequency and care for the clippety-clop grassy tufts as your other rascal smoke plants .
you could also grow monkey Gunter Grass from seeds . you could harvest seeds from the flowers or when the flora ’s berry call on dour purpleness or dark . However , monkey eatage plant take a recollective time to grow from seed . Also , it ’s tricky to reap and prepare the lilyturf seeds so that they germinate successfully .
Trimming Monkey Grass
reduce scamp grass in late wintertime or early spring . Cutting back monkey pot helps to remove old foliation and encourage young , sizeable - await growth . employ your lawnmower on its highest setting to cut back the blades . If using a pruner or garden shears , trim back leaf to around 3 ” or 4 ” ( 7.5- 10 cm ) high .
It ’s usually a just idea to trim monkey grass to keep it in its best consideration . sure-enough grass blades course turn brown and cocker its luxuriant greenish appearing .
Monkey grass is a hardy plant that can stand firm heavy pruning . However , to keep the plant looking its best , you must nullify damaging the crown when mow it .
How to Water Monkey Grass
Monkey grass does n’t require much watering when it ’s established . The works survives on little water , even in warm summer climates . You may necessitate to irrigate the plant every week if there is no rain . However , always check that the top layer of the ground is juiceless before watering .
You will involve to water your works regularly after planting new tuft of rapscallion grass . Moist grease help the root distribute quickly to become set up . When you see new growth on sess works , you’re able to water the clumps at the same frequency as other monkey grass plants .
Problems Affecting Monkey Grass Growth
chocolate-brown brand tips are the most common trouble dissemble monkey weed plant . In most cases , parting turn brownish as they become old and start out to cash in one’s chips off . However , many brown leaf tips on your grassy plants could betoken a fungal disease problem . Over - watering is the most unwashed suit of brown monkey grass leaves .
mop monkey weed in early bounce will remove dead , dark-brown blade . However , if the plant is support from root rot , you will need to take more natural process .
If monkey grass leaves grow yellow and have chocolate-brown tips , harbour off watering until the soil dry . You may require to amend the ground to improve drain if water tends to pool there . Species of monkey plants are susceptible to root disease if the soil is waterlogged .
However , if the footing is arid , you may need to give the plant life a thoroughgoing lachrymation . If so , always water in the break of the day to set aside excess moisture to evaporate during the day . Then hold back a calendar week or two until the filth dry out again before irrigating the soil . This watering technique will assist the plant life to recover and allow the roots to dry out .
If you notice that the rapscallion grass plant does n’t recover , you ’ll require to compass up the plant life and dispose of it in the trash .
How to Control or Get Rid of Monkey Grass
The best manner to get rid of monkey gage permanently is to dig it up . You should also take away as many of the surrounding radical as possible to preclude regrowth and keep it away for good . Although monkey pasturage is a popular ornamental supergrass for garden landscape , it can become invasive .
After removing clod , it ’s a good approximation to cover the area with landscape fabric . keep sun from get to the ground helps to prevent new , undesirable growth . industry is also necessary as straggling roots be given to sprout and start develop .
Is Monkey Grass Poisonous?
Lilyturf or monkey grass is not toxic for quat , dogs , or other animals . TheASPCAlists plant in the familyAsparagaceaesuch asLiriope muscarion their non - toxic garden plant life ’ list .
Some favored owners claim that their beast suffer tummy upset after ingesting rascal skunk . However , there are no reported instances of the seeds or grass being toxic to humans or pets . Most animals that see GI upset after eating scamp gage or mondo grass also get upset breadbasket after eating regular smoke .
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