OPHIOPOGON planiscapus 'Nigrescens'

Fascinating variety of Ophiopogon planiscapus, a rhizomatous herbaceous, perennial and evergreen, slow growing and dense ground covering, native to Asia: at its maximum development, it does not grow more than 20 cm tall, while it can extend much more in width. It appears as a tuft of numerous, thin linear leaves, ribbon-like with smooth edges and acute apex, smooth, glabrous, shiny, softly arched towards the outside and purple-blackish. From the beginning of summer, slender stems sprout between the foliage, bearing tiny pink flowers similar to lilies of the valley on top: if fertilized they produce blackish spherical fruits.

It prefers shady or at most semi-shaded locations, as it fears direct sunlight, which could damage its leaves. It adapts to any type of soil, as long as it is well-drained. It tolerates short periods of drought, but constant, periodic summer wetting can improve its general appearance. It does not like the salinity of sea winds in coastal locations, and therefore in such situations it is advisable to plant it in a sheltered position. It bears minimum winter temperatures of various degrees below zero and therefore lends itself to cultivation in regions characterized by intense and prolonged cold. In spring, at the vegetative restart, it is advisable to remove the dried flower stems and any damaged, old or cluttered part. It can be grown successfully on terraces and balconies in medium sized pots and containers; in the open ground in the garden, it can cover the foot of evergreen trees, or dress entire shady flowerbeds or create, arranging several specimens in succession, alone or perhaps together with other essences with chromatically complementary foliage, low rather original borders.