Liriope

Some species of lilyturf grow more aggressively than others so it is important to choose your plants wisely. They require acidic to neutral well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate almost full shade but growth is slow and leaves are elongated. There are many species and cultivars out with variegated foliage that adds interest to shady areas of the landscape.

Liriope

Liriope, also known as monkey grass, lilyturf, and blue lily turf, is a grass-like flowering plant that is mainly used as a ground cover border. Liriope is a tough adaptable plant that is maintenance free once it is established. The grass-like leaves stay nice well into the winter months. They are evergreen in warmer climates and semi-evergreen in cooler growing zones.

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• Disease Resistant
• Groundcovers
• Liriope
• Low Maintenance
• Ornamental Grasses
• Salt Tolerant
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How to Plant Liriope

Start by digging holes twice the width of the root ball and not quite as deep as the root ball is tall. Place your lilyturf plants evenly in each hole. The top of each root ball should be slightly higher than the soil line. Next, backfill with the soil you originally removed. Water deeply until the soil is completely saturated. Water daily for the first week, 2 to 3 times weekly for the first month, and once weekly until your plants are established. Root establishment generally takes 2 to 3 months.

How to Care for Liriope

Lilyturf is a clumping perennial grass like plant that requires minimal care once established. It grows well in full sun to part shade and is adaptable to any well-drained soil. Water deeply about twice weekly when newly planted to help the roots grow properly. After establishment this plant is drought tolerant. Keep your plants watered during extreme heat in the first summer. Fertilize with a slow release fertilizer in spring for optimal growth.

When to Cut Back Liriope

Prepare your plants for the spring growth flush by pruning them back to about 2 inches from the ground. Trim back Monkey Grass in early spring. You can use pruning shears or basic scissors. Pruning Liriope is not necessary, but it can help your plants look nicer, especially in cooler climates where the foliage can start to look rough after a harsh winter.

When to Divide Liriope

Early spring is the best time to separate Liriope anywhere in the United States. In regions like the southern US with mild winters, Lilyturf can be divided anytime from fall to spring. Cooler growing zones with mild summers can divide this ornamental grass in summer.

How to Divide Liriope

The easiest technique to divide Monkey Grass is to take your shovel and chop the plant in sections. You can dig up the whole plant and then divide it into sections or just take chunks off the plant while it is still in the ground. Just be sure to have some roots in each transplanted piece and water well. This tough plant tend to hold up pretty well to division as long as it is replanted quickly and provided plenty of water.

Where to Buy Liriope Muscari

PlantingTree is a family owned online plant nursery that offer healthy, high-quality plants delivered right to your door. Find Liriope for sale online right here! Scroll up to see our selection of in stock Monkey Grass.

Featured Liriope Varieties

Big Blue Liriope

Liriope muscari ‘Big Blue’
Growing Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Mature Size: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Sunlight: Full Sun to Part Shade

The deep green foliage and lavender flowers of Big Blue Lilyturf are sure to draw attention to your landscape. For amazing texture and color in your landscape, use Big Blue as a deer resistant groundcover, border, mass planting, or accent staggered throughout your yard.

Variegated Liriope

Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’
Growing Zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Mature Size: 1 foot tall and wide
Sunlight: Part Sun to Full Shade

The easy to grow Variegated Monkey Grass adds fun texture and color to your yard. You’ll love the look of this plant bordering your driveway, sidewalk or a plant bed. In fall, purple flowers arrive, adding an additional pop of color. This ground cover is an easy choice for your home and garden!

Check out our Ornamental Grasses and Ground Cover Plants for more options.

Liriope

Lilyturf is a genus of broadleaf evergreen, clump-forming, perennials in the Asparagaceae or asparagus family. The name liriope is derived from new Latin and is a nymph in Roman mythology. Though it may resemble an ornamental grass it is not a true grass.

Some species of lilyturf grow more aggressively than others so it is important to choose your plants wisely. They require acidic to neutral well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate almost full shade but growth is slow and leaves are elongated. There are many species and cultivars out with variegated foliage that adds interest to shady areas of the landscape.

Lilyturf is used in a variety of landscape settings, along slopes to prevent erosion, for edging, rock gardens, containers, in woodland settings, or as a ground cover. It is drought and deer tolerant, moderately salt-tolerant, and some species can be used as a lawn alternative for lawns that receive occasional light foot traffic. It is normally not necessary to propagate liriope plants as they are aggressive growers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Anthracnose, leaf and crown rot, slugs, and snails are occasional problems.

• Attributes: Genus: Liriope Family: Asparagaceae Life Cycle: Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Country Or Region Of Origin: East and Southeast Asia Wildlife Value: This plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer. Dimensions: Height: 0 ft. 9 in. – 1 ft. 6 in. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. – 2 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Ground Cover Perennial Poisonous Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Habit/Form: Clumping Dense Mounding Maintenance: Low

• Cultural Conditions: Light: Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Available Space To Plant: Less than 12 inches 12 inches-3 feet NC Region: Coastal Mountains Piedmont USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 4a, 4b, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

• Fruit: Fruit Color: Black Blue Display/Harvest Time: Summer Fruit Type: Berry

• Flowers: Flower Color: Pink Purple/Lavender White Flower Value To Gardener: Showy Flower Bloom Time: Fall Summer Flower Petals: 6 petals/rays Flower Size: < 1 inch Flower Description: Small, white to violet, 6-parted, on an elongated stem

• Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Leaf Color: Green Variegated Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Linear Leaf Margin: Entire Hairs Present: No Leaf Description: Narrow and grass-like can be green, variegated, or another color.

• Stem: Stem Is Aromatic: No

• Landscape: Landscape Location: Container Lawn Landscape Theme: Drought Tolerant Garden Design Feature: Border Mass Planting Resistance To Challenges: Deer Drought Heavy Shade Problems: Poisonous to Humans

• Poisonous to Humans: Poison Severity: Low Poison Symptoms: No cases known, but caution due to relationship with known toxic plants. Poison Toxic Principle: Unknown Causes Contact Dermatitis: No Poison Part: Fruits

Liriope

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