Aztec Grass Liriope muscari
This densely clumping, evergreen,
grasslike perennial is quite attractive when grouped in a mass
as a groundcover Spreading by underground rhizomes, Lilyturf
quickly creates a 12-inch-tall, dark green mat, accented by attractive
spikes of lilac purple blooms. Although frequently used as an
edging, it is difficult to maintain it this way because of the
spreading growth habit. ‘Evergreen Giant’ Liriope
would be a better choice for an edging because it spreads very
slowly.
General
Information
Pronunciation: luh-RYE-oh-pee mus-KAR-ree
Common name(s): Lilyturf, Liriope, Border Grass
Family: Liliaceae
Plant type: perennial; herbaceous; ornamental grass
USDA hardiness zones: 6 through 10 (Fig. 2)
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: mass planting; edging; naturalizing; small parking lot
islands (< 100 square feet in size); medium-sized parking
lot Height: .5 to 1 feet islands (100-200 square feet in size);
large parking lot islands (> 200 square feet in size)
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness
range
Description
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Plant habit: upright
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: fine
Foliage
Fruit characteristic: showy
Leaf arrangement: most emerge from the soil, usually without
a stem
Leaf type: simple Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Leaf margin: entire Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Leaf shape: linear Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 12 to 18 inches
Leaf color: variegated
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: lilac, purple
Flower characteristic: summer flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: less than .5 inch
Fruit cover: fleshy
Fruit color: black
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun; plant
grows in the shade
Soil tolerances: alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 6 to 12 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: aggressive, spreading plant
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant
Use
and Management
Preferring shade but tolerant of full sun (except in the hottest
regions of the Lower South), Lilyturf establishes itself quickly
on rich, moist, well-drained soils but will tolerate less suitable
conditions. No more than four to six hours of full sun is recommended
in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. Lilyturf should be fertilized
once each spring but requires little care otherwise. Plant on
8 to 10-inch centers for quick establishment. Once established,
Lilyturf will require irrigation only during the severest drought.
Mow it once each year during late winter to get rid of last year’s
declining foliage. Cultivars are available with variegated foliage,
white and various shades of purple blooms. Grandiflora’ has
light lavender flowers; ‘Majestic’ has violet flowers; ‘Munroe
White’, white flowers; and ‘Variegata’ has
yellow-striped leaves, maturing to green, and dark violet flowers.
Blooms on several of the cultivars are quite striking. Liriope
spicata is slightly shorter and spreads much quicker by means
of rhizomes. It makes a good companion ground cover to plant
around fast growing shrubs since root competition helps check
the growth of the shrub. Less pruning would be required on shrubs
planted in the ground cover. Propagation is by division of the
clumps or by seed. Problems include mites, slugs, snails, and
scale. None except mites are usually of any consequence.
Pests and Diseases
No diseases are of major concern.
by Edward F. Gilman
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