With trees, it’s more than just looks; they’re the full package, turning landscapes into masterpieces and bringing endless value to the great outdoors.
Honestly, if it weren’t for my trees, the Florida heat would be my cue to stay indoors all summer long.
Sure, these green giants are impressive, but they’re not flawless… One look at those roots spreading across the ground, and you’ll see what I mean.
Not the prettiest sight, huh? Gardeners are always battling to cover them up, but finding plants that thrive in the shade isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Oh, you also have this problem?
Lucky for you, there’s a ground cover that’s both beautiful and tough enough to flourish under trees, covering those roots with ease!
Mondo Grass Is All You Need!
A stunning tree and mondo grass are a match made in heaven! Especially if the tree has some ugly roots all around the base.
Mondo grass doesn’t mind shade and it quickly adapts to conditions found in such surroundings. It’s a perfect plant for beginners as it takes little to thrive and there isn’t too much pruning or digging involved. Dreams do come true, I guess.
It won’t grow taller than 15 inches and will develop into clumps, so there’s no way the roots will be visible.
But make sure not to mistake mondo grass for monkey grass, because the latter is taller and won’t have the same effect when it comes to tree roots. So, pay close attention when purchasing!
Let’s Learn More About This Grass Lookalike
What’s there to know about mondo grass? First, this isn’t real grass. I know, I was shocked, too.
This is actually a ground cover plant that’s more related to lilies (another surprising fact, right?). The thing is that mondo grass is suitable for USDA zones 6 through 10, but if you need a plant to cover tree roots, mondo grass works only in warmer zones.
Why? Your goal is to find an evergreen species because you don’t want tree roots to become visible once the cooler weather approaches.
Therefore, if you live in Florida or California, mondo grass is an ideal choice. For lower zones, you’ll need to find a hardier alternative.
Here’s How To Plant And Grow Mondo Grass
Once you go to the nursery and ask for mondo grass, you’ll be offered clumps. Yes, it may seem a bit odd for beginners, but that’s how we buy these plants.
You’ll need a few of these, depending on how many tree roots you need to hide.
The next step is to select all the tree roots and plant the mondo grass clumps between them. Always aim for a spacing of approximately 4 to 12 inches for best results.
You’ll need loose soil to add around the planted clumps. I also mix some compost at this point to encourage growth.
As far as maintenance is concerned, you’ll need to be careful to keep the area weed-free and the soil should be consistently moist.
That’s all it takes! Mondo grass will spread in no time, turning those once-ugly roots into a beautiful, green landscape.
But Bear This In Mind!
As mentioned, mondo grass stays evergreen only in warmer climates, so if you live in cooler regions you can’t use it to cover ugly tree roots.
But there’s also one thing to consider if you live in a warmer zone and want to add mondo grass. You see, it’s considered invasive in the Southern US and can take over your yard if you aren’t careful.
Oh, don’t let this feature scare you away. I simply added a barrier between the lawn and the mondo grass, and it didn’t spread everywhere.
And one more thing! If you select darker varieties of mondo grass, such as black mondo grass, don’t be surprised if the color is brighter than it should be. Trees create too much shade and black mondo grass needs a lot of sun to preserve its dark hue.
That’s all, folks! The age of ugly tree roots is over thanks to the spectacular mondo grass! Use our tips to keep it in tip top shape and enjoy the stunning view!