Liriope muscari (Lily Turf)
Botanical Information
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Liriope |
| Species | muscari |
| Synonyms | Liriope graminifolia (misapplied), Liriope platyphylla, Ophiopogon graminifolius |
| Category | Perennials |
| Origin | China, Japan, and Taiwan. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 5 - 10 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 4a - 8a |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H2 - H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -29 - 4 |
| Temperature (°F) | -20 - 40 |
| Height | 30 - 50 cm |
| Spread | 20 - 30 cm |
| Growth | Medium |
| Flowering Period | August, September |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Liriope muscari is a tuberous, evergreen, clumping herbaceous perennial with long, narrow, leathery leaves and erect spikes of dense purple flowers. |
| ID Characteristic | Liriope muscari is a grass-like plant that has flowers resembling those of grape hyacinth. |
| Landscape | Makes a good border or for underplanting. Also a suitable container and patio plant. Useful for planting on banks and slopes or massed for ground cover. |
| Propagation | In spring, by seed sown in pots outside or by division. |
| Cultivation | Grow in a sheltered location, part to full shade, in moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Will tolerate a more neutral soil pH. Established plants are drought tolerant. In spring, remove dead leaves to the ground to encourage new growth. easily grown in average, medium, well-drained but preferably moist soils with partial shade. The species is tolerant to soil and light variance,as well as humidity, heat and drought, but the leaves, despite being technically evergreen, will turn brown in cold winters such as those found in Canada and the northern parts of the United States of America. |
| Pests | No serious pests or diseases of note. Young growth is susceptible to slugs. Tolerant to drought, erosion, and air pollution. |
| Notable Specimens | Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. |
| Leaf Description | Long, narrow, arching, dark green. The plant is evergreen but the leaves will turn brown in cold winters such as those found in Canada and the northern parts of the United States of America. |
| Flower Description | Small, globose, violet-purple, clustered longitudinally about erect spikes up to 30 cm tall. |
| Fruit Description | Black berries. |
Photographs
Liriope muscari. Form.
Liriope muscari. Leaf, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019.
Liriope muscari. Form, Lanhydrock Gardens, Cornwall, England. 16/10/2019.
Liriope muscari 'Big Blue'
Liriope muscari 'Variegata'
Awards
