The Monkey Grass Rule: Divide and Conquer
by
Kelly Richardson, All About Lawns Columnist
November 11, 2008
For those homeowners affected by annual drought, purchasing high-dollar foliage just isn't practical. Not only is it expensive at the garden center, but water restrictions prevent recommended irrigation routines. And that's why monkey grass has garnered such an enthusiastic following.
Monkey Grass 411
Lily turf. Liriope. Mondo grass. Snakesbeard. Monkey grass goes by several different names depending on the region you come from. And each of its varieties belongs to two primary genuses—Liriope or Ophiopogon. Typical heights range from 10 to 15 inches with spiked summer blooms and fall berries. Its most attractive feature is its resiliency. Monkey grass tolerates sever heat and drought, adjusts to a variety of soil conditions, and requires little or no fertilizer.
Monkey Grass: The Manufacturers Recommendations
As you might expect, a plant with such a die-hard attitude needs very little care and maintenance. But there are some basic things you can do to keep your monkey grass looking full and healthy.
- Choose areas of your lawn that enjoy proper drainage
- Trim browning portion of the leaves before the growth season
- Plant in well-defined regions to prevent out of control growth
Split It and Forget It
One you get your first batch of monkey grass in the ground, you most likely may want to carry it to other areas of your landscaping. But whatever you do, don't buy more plants. Simply use a blunt nosed shovel to split the grass into smaller portions. Then replant. If you split adult-sized plants, you really can't tell that you've created smaller sizes.
From resiliency to low maintenance requirements, monkey grass may meet all of your landscaping needs.
Sources
Clemson Extension, Home & Garden Information Center
Southern Living
About the Author
Kelly Richardson has obsessive compulsive lawn disorder and is
afflicted with the need to share his knowledge with the world. Kelly
writes lawn columns for a variety of home and garden magazines and
e-zines.
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