What are the different types of monkey grass?

There are two types of lilyturf or monkey grass plants (Liriope). Your choice of monkey grass for your front or backyard depends on the kind of plant you need—clumping or creeping. Liriope spicata is the creeping variety, and Liriope muscari is the clumping variety.

Is mondo grass and monkey grass the same?

Monkey grass is a groundcover that looks very similar to turf grass. It is the common name for liriope (Liriope muscari), but it is also referred to as border grass. In addition, monkey grass is oftentimes used as the common name for a similar plant, dwarf mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus).

Is Liriope and monkey grass the same thing?

Species of Liriope are the plants most commonly referred to as “monkey grass,” or sometimes “lily turf,” and southern gardeners have either of two reactions to it: hate or love.

Does all monkey grass spread?

I have monkey grass in several areas of my garden, but I have to keep an eye on it, or it will spread everywhere. The perennial plant spreads by means of runners which are easy to transplant to other areas of the garden. The following tips will help you get rid of or control monkey grass in your yard.

Does monkey grass come back every year?

Each spring, monkey grass grows a fresh set of leaves, so it can easily recover from an annual pruning. By trimming back your monkey grass, you get rid of the old growth and have a fresh, green border.

Does monkey grass need sun or shade?

Some prefer full sun, while others are better suited to shade. Some clump, and others creep. 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.

What can I substitute for monkey grass?

If you live in the Coastal or Tropical South, try ‘Evergreen Giant,’ which stretches to 2 feet tall and makes a great substitute for a low shrub. Now is the perfect time to trim your liriope.

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.

Should I trim monkey grass?

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.

Will monkey grass grow in shade?

Types of Monkey Grass. There are quite a few types of monkey grass belonging to one of two genera: Liriope or Ophiopogon. Of these varieties, the most commonly used is L. muscari, which is a clumping form. L. spicata, or creeping liriope, is best used in difficult areas such as on hillsides.

What should I do with the monkey grass?

Part 3 of 3: Maintaining Monkey Grass Trim the grass back early in the spring. Monkey grass goes into dormancy during the winter, but it tends to stay at the length it finished the growing season Use hand snips to cut the grass down to about one inch (2.5 cm). For small patches of grass, hand snips are the best option. Fertilize the soil once a year after you trim the grass.

Will Roundup kill monkey grass?

Depending on its function in your garden, you may want to cultivate it or eradicate it. If you want to kill monkey grass, Roundup is an effective herbicide. But if you want to keep monkey grass in your garden, you must protect it if you use Roundup on nearby weeds.

How do you kill monkey grass in lawn?

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.