Home » Finding Your Perfect Plants » Lily Turf » Lily Turf, Border Grass (Liriope muscari)

Lily Turf, Border Grass (Liriope muscari)

Example of approximately what these plants look like when shipped. See the eighth photograph of any plant to see a photo of what it looks like when shipped.
Lily Turf is a tried and true weed-suppressing groundcover that performs famously on slopes where it will creep along controling erosion or as a border edging for formal gardens. Lily Turf is almost indestructible in stubborn areas like the base of trees where roots will not permit grass to grow.

Tolerant of drought, heat, humidity and even moist areas as well as resistant to deer and willing to thrive in hot, southern gardens, you will love this perennial's hardy personality. If you want a low-maintenance, clumping (with the exception of 'Big Blue') turf substitute in a shady or sunny area or just want a lush grass border to create a band of green, you'll want to take a good look at the varieties of Lily Turf we offer.

  • Liriope muscari (except for 'Big Blue') stays in clump form
  • Liriope spicata (Creeping Lily Turf) creeps (will spread)

    • See also:
  • Acorus gramineus (Sweet Flag)
  • Ophiopogon (Mondo Grass, Monkey Grass)

    • See photographs comparing average sizes of some bare roots and potted plants
    Product
    Lily Turf 'John Burch' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}
    50 - 249: $1.57 each  |  250 - 999: $1.37 each
    (Liriope) A cascade of arching, lush green variegated foliage edged in gold. Lavender blossoms resemble grape-hyacinths add color and interest. 12-15" tall.
    In stock.
    Lily Turf 'Monroe White' {Bare Root Plants, min 25}
    25 - 49: $2.97 each  |  50 - 249: $1.97 each
    (Liriope, Monroe's #1) Dense, clusters of rare and splendid pearlesque blooms form on flower spikes followed by ebony berries amidst wide blades of deep emerald foliage. 12-16" tall.
    In stock.
    Lily Turf 'Monroe White' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}
    50 - 249: $1.97 each  |  250 - 999: $1.77 each
    (Liriope, Monroe's #1) Dense, clusters of rare and splendid pearlesque blooms form on flower spikes followed by ebony berries amidst wide blades of deep emerald foliage. 12-16" tall.
    In stock.
    Lily Turf 'Royal Purple' {3 1/2 in. Pots, min 25}
    25 - 249: $4.17 each  |  250 - 999: $3.87 each
    (Liriope) Regal emerald blades of evergreen foliage arch gracefully with amethyst flower spikes. Elegant specimen for border/edge plantings. 12-15" tall.
    In stock.
    Lily Turf 'Gold Band' {3 1/2 in. Pots, min 25}
    25 - 249: $5.87 each  |  250 - 999: $5.57 each
    (Liriope, 'Gold Banded') Lovely gold band borders broad 3/4" arching jade foliage more vivid than other variagted forms. Rich purple flowers followed by eggplant berries. 12-18" tall.
    In stock.
    Lily Turf 'John Burch' {3 1/2 in. Pots, min 25}
    25 - 249: $4.77 each  |  250 - 999: $4.47 each
    (Liriope) A cascade of arching, lush green variegated foliage edged in gold. Lavender blossoms resemble grape-hyacinths add color and interest. 12-15" tall.
    In stock.
    Lily Turf 'Big Blue' {2 1/2 in. Pots, min 54}
    54 - 107: $2.77 each  |  108 - 949: $2.47 each
    (Liriope) Tall, thin and vivid evergreen grass-like foliage and slim spikes of lavender to periwinkle toned hyacinth-like blooms, followed by ebony-blue berries. 12-15" tall, spreads moderately fast.
    In stock.
    Lily Turf 'Royal Purple' {Bare Root Plants, min 25}
    25 - 49: $2.77 each  |  50 - 249: $1.77 each
    (Liriope) Regal emerald blades of evergreen foliage arch gracefully with amethyst flower spikes. Elegant specimen for border/edge plantings. 12-15" tall.
    In stock.
    Lily Turf 'Royal Purple' {Bare Root Plants, min 50}
    50 - 249: $1.77 each  |  250 - 999: $1.57 each
    (Liriope) Regal emerald blades of evergreen foliage arch gracefully with amethyst flower spikes. Elegant specimen for border/edge plantings. 12-15" tall.
    In stock.
    Lily Turf 'Christmas Tree' {Bare Root Plants, min 25}
    25 - 49: $2.97 each  |  50 - 249: $1.97 each
    (Liriope, Monroe's #2) Famous for unusually lovely, large lavender flower spikes in the shape of a Christmas tree, this lush evergreen groundcover performs well in partial or full shade. 12-15" tall.
    In stock.
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    Specifications


    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



    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



    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 how many days delivery will take and can control exactly when your order will be shipped.

    Shipping information that applies to all plants:
    - Transit Time For Your Shipment (at most 3 days)
    - When We Ship
    - You May Specify Your Shipping Date
    - Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
    - Special Delivery Instructions
    - No Shipments To: AK, AZ, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA or internationally
    - Changing Your Shipping Date
    - Accepting Delivery
    - Unpacking Your Order
    - Returns


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