The planting of Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ near Inverleith House is a significant splash of black. Look closely and the few strands of reversion to green foliage show up. Ideally as time allows these plants should be teased out from the clump to give a purity of colour. There are plantings of the species itself in the rock garden where the leaves are green. This is a native to Japan.

This cultivar is of garden origin and is one of the best plants to grow for contrast to mainstream planting. It is loaded with knotted masses of berries which are equally as black as the narrow strap foliage. The roots have fleshy nodules attached that retain water enabling the plant to survive through periods of drought.

Ophiopogon planiscapus

Ophiopogon planiscapus