Ophiopogon japonicus Minor

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Minor', also known as Snake's Beard, is an elegant perennial recognized and sought after for its ground covering habit. With its persistent and low-growing foliage, this variety finds its uses by forming a dense mat under trees, along paths or in non-trodden, partially shaded areas of the garden. Its grass-like foliage, of a shiny dark green, is adorned in late summer with discreet white flowers, and then with pretty berries of a surprising violet-blue, which earned it the name "herb with turquoise". It also grows well in containers, where it serves as a backdrop for flowering plants. Easy to grow, it thrives in light, moist, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil, in non-scorching sun.

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Minor' is a dwarf form of this stoloniferous perennial with trailing tuberous roots (rhizomes), native to Japan and China. It belongs to the lily family. This plant grows in small, particularly dense, spreading clumps, barely exceeding 10cm (4in) in height, and spreads quite slowly, without any theoretical limit. The growth of this 'Minor' form is nevertheless slightly faster than that of the species Ophiopogon japonicus. The foliage generally persists throughout the year, but it can be destroyed during particularly harsh winters without endangering the plant. This grass-like plant is composed of ribbon-like, leathery leaves of a beautiful shiny dark green. The flowering takes place in July-August, in the form of discreet inflorescences, small whitish bells, similar to those of lily of the valley, carried by short stems that do not exceed the foliage. They give way to ellipsoidal fruits, very decorative, the size of a pea, of turquoise-blue colour, which persist for long weeks. Caution: the berries are toxic if ingested. Once well established, this perennial requires no maintenance.

Robust and quite hardy, Ophiopogon japonicus 'Minor' has a long lifespan, and its ease of cultivation makes it often planted in gardens. Its main enemy remains limestone. Plant Ophiopogon 'Minor' in semi-shade, in a rich, light and moist soil. It fears excessively dry soils. Unlike grass, it does not tolerate trampling, so plant it along borders of flower beds or at the base of trees, on the edge of woodlands, in fresh rockeries, or between paving stones. It easily integrates into the design of Japanese gardens as a very low ground cover at the front of a flower bed, in association with graphic plants such as: Lilyturf (Liriope muscari), semi-shade Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra), or evergreen ferns, for example.