Liriope muscari 'John Burch' | Lily Turf 'John Burch' | {25 Pots - 3 1/4 in.}

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Lily Turf 'John Burch' {3 1/4 in. Pots, min 25}

7 customer reviews

Liriope muscari 'John Burch' (AKA John Birch', Lilyturf, Border Grass, Monkey Grass)

Pronunciation: lir-RYE-oh-pee mus-KAR-ee JOHN BERCH
Product: 344

Shipping description: This product cannot be shipped to AZ, CA, NV, OR, or WA

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25 - 249: $5.67 each	250 - 999: $5.37 each
1000 - 2499: $5.10 each	2500 - 4999: $4.99 each
5000 - 9999: $4.83 each	10000 - 19999: $4.56 each
20000+: $4.30 each

Temporarily out of stock. Expected 06/15/2027.

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Content note: AI-assisted: Some images, descriptions, or plant specifications on this page may have been created or revised with the assistance of AI. This content is checked, but inaccuracies may remain.

Please also note: Images show mature plants during peak season; young plants may take several years to develop similar colors. Flower and foliage colors vary with season (deciduous plants ordered fall through spring might have yellow/brown foliage or no foliage), growing conditions, and photography. If this plant is new to you, or you would like a broader sense of its natural color range, please view additional photographs [here], and feel free to contact us with questions.

A mohawk of vibrant variegated blades of foliage illuminates tired gardens with the fusion of fresh color John Burch paints wherever he is planted. A thick, clumping, grass-like member of the Lily Family, John Burch features golden, variegated, arching, slightly twirled leaves and lavender, grape-colored, hyacinth-like bloom spikes, making it highly sought after.

Additionally, John Burch is almost indestructible in stubborn areas like banks (where it will prove a force against erosion) and tree bases where roots impede other grasses. He also puts up with drought, poor soil, heat, humidity and even damp areas making John Burch a go-to plant for troublesome spots. And did we mention deer tend to avoid him?

You will also find, though, that John Burch is perfect as a ribbon of green around the border of a bed or as a graceful slew of bowing blades planted in mass. Given acidic soil to root in, a partially shaded area and moist soil, you will have absolutely no trouble with this variety. Of course you'll find, with his moderate growth rate, John Burch will be low maintenance in both sun and shade.

A gorgeous Liriope with delightful flower spikes and foliage, John Burch is the kind of plant gardeners use time and time again because it is so trustworthy.

Things to Note
If planting in zone 5, be sure to check with your local extension to confirm winter hardiness in your area.

If you live in a southern zone, you'll find John Burch remains evergreen. However, keep in mind, he will prefer some shade in your region.

Gardener Tips
For greatest variegation, consider a sunnier local as John Burch's variegation tends to fade in shade.

If you are considering purchasing this plant in bare root form, please read about bare root plants so you know what to expect.

See other plants that go well with this plant.

General information about Liriope muscari (Lily Turf):
With slim spears of foliage, Liriope muscari 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

Specifications

Cold hardiness zone: 6-11 (-10 degrees F) - Contact your local extension to confirm hardiness if you are in a fringe zone (we cannot guarantee hardiness in fringe zones)
AHS Heat Zone: 9-1
Light: Full sun Part sun Shade
Growth rate: Moderate
Mature height: 12-16"
Spread: 12-18"
Spacing: 8-12"
Tolerant of: Deer, Drought, Wet Conditions, Poor Soil, Rabbits
pH of Soil: 4.5 - 7.5, Ideal pH: 5.5 - 6.5
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Grows Under Trees: Conifer - Yes, Walnut - Yes, Other - Yes
Good for borders & edging: Yes
Good for erosion control: Yes
Evergreen: Yes
Good for slopes: Yes
Variegated: Yes

Shipping

No unusual shipping concerns for this plant.

FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know hpw to control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
- You May Specify Your Shipping Date
- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
- Changing Your Shipping Date
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- Unpacking Your Order
- Returns

Care

In northern zones where winter snow will crush the foliage, consider shearing (or mowing on high) in late fall or very early spring to avoid a period of ratty-looking dead foliage in the spring that can impede new spring growth.

Shearing in southern zones is optional, you may elect to do it just to maintain the most attractive appearance.

This plant can be susceptible to Anthracnose, especially in southern zones. If it develops brown spots in winter, cut the foliage back (to the ground is OK) in early spring.

General information that applies to all plants:
- Ground preparation, fertilization, pH
- Planting instructions
- Explanation and description of bare roots
- How to plant bare root plants
- If you cannot plant bare roots right away

Reviews

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Health plants
09/15/2020 By Jeffrey Witner (MD)
Product reviewed: Lily Turf 'John Burch' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}

Arrived on schedule. Healthy plants, simple effective packaging.

Time will tell
04/09/2020 By Marvetta Wotton (TX)
Product reviewed: Lily Turf 'John Burch' {Bare Root Plants, min 25}

Changing to a 5 star due to the excellent customer service and offers to do what was needed to make the customer happy! Wonderful.....
04/09/2020 Update I ordered 75 bare root liriope most all where green when they arrived and had good roots, however about... Read full review >

You never can tell...
05/24/2019 By Henry Ciotti (VA)
Product reviewed: Lily Turf 'John Burch' {Bare Root Plants, min 25}

I am in a challenging environment for plants....on a mountain ridge, surrounded by trees with plenty of wild life that samples anything that does not look familiar.

Planted about a week the bare root plants seem to like their new home and so far have not... Read full review >

Top quality
05/03/2019 By Liz (TN)
Product reviewed: Lily Turf 'John Burch' {Bare Root Plants, min 25}

Very hearty plants

John Burch
03/24/2018 By ARTHUR JAMISON
Product reviewed: Lily Turf 'John Burch' {Bare Root Plants, min 25}

Has been one of my favorite lirope grasses. I planted them in a group and also as accents. Plants were in excellent condition . Plenty of moisture in their packaging so I waited a few more days before planting. I will purchase from Classy again.

Lily Turf 'John Burch' {3 1/4 in. Pots, min 25}

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