Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Silver Mist', also known as Snake's Beard, is a small perennial that always remains elegant, regardless of its variations. This cultivar offers us variegated foliage, light green with a white central stripe, refined, which from a distance or under certain exposures gives the impression of green-grey or silver foliage. Recognized and sought after for its ground-covering habit, with its persistent and low foliage, this perennial with linear foliage, which is not a grass, forms a dense carpet under trees, along pathways, or in partially shaded areas of the garden. In late summer, it is adorned with discreet white to mauve flowers, and then with pretty berries of a surprising bluish-violet colour which have earned it its name "turquoise herb". It also grows very well in pots, where it serves as a showcase for flowering plants. It thrives ideally in light, fresh, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil, in non-burning sun.

Ophiopogon japonicus 'Silver Mist' is a variegated form of this stoloniferous and tuberous perennial, native to Japan and China. It belongs to the lily family. This plant grows in small, particularly dense clumps, 20cm (8in) in height, and spreads quite slowly, without a theoretical limit. The foliage generally persists throughout the year, but it can be destroyed during particularly harsh winters without endangering the plant. This plant consists of ribbon-like and leathery leaves, a beautiful light green foliage with white variegation in the middle. Flowering takes place in July-August, in the form of discreet inflorescences, small whitish bells similar to lily of the valley, carried by short stems that do not exceed the foliage. They give way to fruits, ellipsoidal in shape, very decorative, the size of a pea, turquoise blue in 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 'Silver Mist' has a long lifespan, and its ease of cultivation makes it a popular choice in gardens. Its main enemy is limestone. Plant it in partial shade, in rich, light, and fresh soil. Unlike grass, it does not tolerate trampling, so install it on the edge 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 bed, in combination with graphic plants such as Liriope muscari, partial shade Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra), or evergreen ferns, for example. This variegated form harmonizes beautifully with other forms of Ophiopogon.