General information about Liriope (Lily Turf):
With slim spears of foliage, Liriope is not only a lush perennial, it is often a gardener’s best solution.
Perfect for banks, beds and at the
base of trees
where roots will not permit grass to grow, Liriope muscari proves virtually indestructible in stubborn areas.
They tolerate drought,
heat, humidity,
slopes
and
moist
areas and
deer tend to avoid
them.
Outstanding for
erosion control
and
choking out weeds,
Liriopes also gracefully fill those shady, dry spots where nothing else grows.
Liriopes are the perfect living
border,
creating stately outlines for formal gardens, and in southern gardens, when other plants wilt, they thrive.
Of course Liriopes are famous as low-maintenance
turf substitutes,
and with the exception of
Big Blue
and
Liriope spicata
(both are
creepers),
they stay in
clumps.
We’ve narrowed down the selections for you to what we feel are some of the top varieties offering a range of color, size and superior hardiness.
Be warned, once you start perusing, you’ll find yourself wanting more than one variety. They’re just that beautiful!
Important note about bare root Liriope
Liriope is not like other perennials, it grows much slower the first year when transplanted from
bare roots
than from potted plants.
Do not expect much growth the first season after transplanting bare roots.
If you seek substantial growth the first summer after transplanting, buy potted plants.
Why all the confusion about the common names?
In 1763, the French botanist Michael Adanson described a plant (probably Liriope) that he called Mondo, which remains a common name today.
A few years later, Carl Peter Thunberg described a plant, which he named Convallaria japonica.
This species is now known as Ophiopogon japonicus.
A decade later, Portugese botanist Joao de Loureiro described and named the plant we now know as Liriope muscari.
Nearly 100 years later Joseph Decaisne described the same species as Ophiopogon muscari.
Over time there have been numerous discussions regarding these plants and the proper botanical names for them.
Today, both Liriope and Ophiopogon are treated as distinct genera.
In addition to sharing the name Mondo, the plants are also interchangably called Lilyturf and Monkey Grass.
See all Liriopes
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