Liriope vs mondo grass
Both are grassy evergreen clumps from East Asia, used for edging and as a lawn in shade, and both are sold as monkey grass. Lilyturf (Liriope) is the bigger, with spikes of violet flowers held above the leaves in late summer, and it takes sun and drought as well as shade; shear off the old leaves in late winter. Mondo grass (Ophiopogon) is lower and finer, hides its small flowers among the leaves, and slowly knits into a smooth carpet that never needs cutting.
 LilyturfLiriope muscari |  Mondo grassOphiopogon japonicus | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 16 in tall, 18 in wide | 8 in tall, 12 in wide |
| Plant | 12 in apart | 8 in apart |
| Zones | 5 to 10 | 6 to 10 |
| Light | Full sun to shade | Part sun to shade |
| Soil | Well-drained, average fertility | Well-drained, average fertility |
| Flowers | Early August to mid September; purple, white | Mid July to early August; lavender |
| Leaves | Medium, evergreen | Fine, evergreen |
| Job in a bed | Edging | Carpet |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | No toxicity recorded |
| Deer | Resistant | Resistant |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Low risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose lilyturf for colder gardens (to zone 5), dry summers and more height (16 in against 8 in).
- Choose mondo grass for a smaller space (8 in against 16 in).
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. What mondo grass brings beside lilyturf: its dark green leaves are a setting for the flowers, before and after; low enough (8 in) to stand in front of it. They share part sun, part shade and shade and zones 6 to 10.
Read more: all about lilyturf, and all about mondo grass, each with a bed the planner designed around it.