Ophiopogon planiscapus Olivaceus

'Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Olivaceus' is a cultivar of this superb evergreen perennial with green foliage. It develops tufts of narrow leaves, with a texture that is both satiny and shiny, in a green, tinted with black, giving an elegant olive green colour. Preferably plant this selection in moist, well-drained and rich soil, in partial shade. Architectural ophiopogon is the companion of contemporary, Japanese, shade and gravel gardens. It also grows very well in a pot. It develops small, discreet but contrasting flowering, with small white bells in summer, followed by fruiting in blue berries which adds to its charm.

Ophiopogon is a herbaceous perennial plant, from the lily family, originating from shaded thickets and wooded areas in China and Japan. 'Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Olivaceus', a close cousin of Lily of the Valley, forms a small creeping mat on a compact crown that gradually spreads thanks to its suckers in fresh and rich soil, but does not spread much in drier and compact soil. It reaches a height of 20 cm and ultimately spreads to 30 to 40 cm. At the start of vegetation, its young linear and arched leaves are shiny green. They quickly take on their definitive olive green hue. These evergreen leaves leaves measure 20 to 25 cm long. In early summer, small white bells appear. They then give way to round and shiny (toxic), bluish-black berries. Ophiopogon is hardy down to -10 to -15 °C.

Easy to grow, Ophiopogon tolerates all exposures as long as the soil is well-drained and remains moist. It does, however, prefer shaded situations. Associate Ophiopogon, at the edge or in a pot, with heucheras, ferns, hardy geraniums or epimediums.