Liriope muscari

Sunset

Liriope muscari 'Pee Dee Gold Ingot', photo courtesy of Mark Turner

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Zones 2B, 3-10, 14-24, H1, H2

Full, Partial

Moderate

BIG BLUE LILY TURF

Perennials, Flowers

LIRIOPE

These popular and durable plants from Asia form tufts of evergreen grasslike leaves and bear summer flowers in spikelike or branched clusters. Blossoms come in white and various shades of purple; some are quite showy.Last well in flower arrangements.Use as casual ground cover in small areas.Also attractive as borders along paths, between flower bed and lawn, among rock groupings, or in rock gardens.

Liriope muscari

Forms large clumps 1–1 1/2 ft. high and eventually a bit wider—but does not spread by underground stems. Loose habit, with arching, dark green leaves to 2 ft. or longer, 1/2–3/4 in. wide. Dense, spikelike, 6–8-in. flower clusters appear on 5–12-in. stems. Flowers are held above the foliage on young plants, partly hidden by leaves on older ones. Round, shiny black fruits follow. Part shade in hot climates.

The following grow 12–15 in.high unless noted.

Big Blue’. To 18 in. high.Stiffly arching, narrow leaves;dark violet flowers. Does welleven in dry shade.

‘Gold Band’. Broad greenleaves are edged with brightgold. Lavender flower spikesare held well above foliage.

‘Lilac Beauty’. Dark greenleaves; pale violet flowers.

‘Majestic’. To 1 1/2 ft. high.Somewhat open-growingclumps. Blooms heavily, bearinglarge (up to 10 in. long) clustersof dark violet blossoms resemblingcockscombs; flowers areheld well above the leaves onyoung plants.

‘Monroe’s White’. Broadleaves. Large white flowerspikes stand well above foliage.Fruit is purple. Prefers moreshade than most types.

‘Royal Purple’. Similar to‘Majestic’ but with deeper purpleflowers.

‘Silvery Sunproof’. Strong,open, vertical growth. Mediumgreen leaves have gold stripesthat age to white; whole leaf iswhiter in sun, more yellow orgreen in shade. Lilac flowersare held well above foliage. Oneof the best for full sun and forflowers.

‘Variegata’. Forms loose, softclumps. Leaves are green withyellow edges when new, thenturn solid dark green in secondseason. Violet flowers are heldwell above the leaves. May besold as Ophiopogon jaburan ‘Variegatus’.