Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens' is a beautiful clump-forming evergreen perennial with grass-like leaves which are dark purple green, almost black. The flowers show up as dainty pearls, iridescent with the faintest blush of pink/violet followed by the black berries in late summer.
The plant is in fact a member of the lily family, but is nearly always included in with grasses. It is a slow growing plant but once it is established, it sends out "little babies" on runners.

As it is so dwarf, it is easily lost in a border and looks best grown on a rock garden or raised bed. Use instead of turf as a lawn substitute, around a pond, in a woodland around. Terrific between paving and along stairs and makes a unique stand alone container as well.
Left undisturbed it slowly forms fair-sized colonies and looks good interplanted with small wandering perennials.It is a very useful plant and provides a brilliant contrast with most other plants.

Awarded the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM)

Sowing: Sow late winter/late spring and late summer/autumn.
Soak seeds for 24 hours in water that starts off hand hot.
Sow the seeds in John Innes seed compost, at temperatures of around 4*C (39*F) and cover them with a thin layer of compost. After watering, either place the seed container outside against a north wall or in a cold frame, making sure they are protected against mice, and leave them there until they germinate.

The compost should be kept moist but not wet at all times, and if the seed containers are out in the open then some shelter has to be given against excessive rain. Germination can be slow: from 120 to 180 days.

Growing:
Prick out each seedling as it becomes large enough to handle, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays. Grow on in the greenhouse.
Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation:
Divide in March to May before their new growth period starts.
Healthy plants soon grow into a large clump as new fans of leaves develop around the older ones. These will eventually develop their own roots and can be easily detached from the parent plant.
It is possible to cut pieces off a large plant without actually digging it up but it is difficult to do this without losing most of the roots from the cutting. It is probably better to dig up the whole plant then divide it into several pieces using a spade or knife.

Plant Uses:
Edging of Paths, Beds and Borders, Containers, Raised Beds / Alpine and Rock Gardens.

Looks good with:
A great many plants, but especially - Geraniums, Ornamental Thyme. Other Grasses