Home » Finding Your Perfect Plants » Lily Turf » Creeping Lily Turf (Liriope spicata)

Creeping Lily Turf (Liriope spicata)

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.
Light lavender to white flowers that resemble miniature grape hyacinth blooms appear in late summer suspended on 10" stalks above dense arching, evergreen (in southern zones) tufts of narrow, grassy foliage. Perfect for slopes, beds and at the base of trees where roots will not permit grass to grow, this groundcover is a nearly indestructible plant in stubborn areas.

Tolerant of drought, heat, poor soil, humidity, moist areas and even some tolerant of salt, Liriope spicata will control erosion and suppress weeds as it creeps along in classy clumps of green. With deer tending to avoid it, we often use this groundcover as a low-maintenance turf substitute.

We offer time-tested, tried and true varieties so you won't need to worry about performance.

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

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

    • See photographs comparing average sizes of some bare roots and potted plants
    Product
    Creeping Lily Turf {Bare Root Plants, min 25}
    25 - 49: $2.27 each  |  50 - 249: $1.37 each
    (Liriope) Pale lavender to white flower spikes bloom in late summer amidst dense arching, evergreen (in southern zones) mat-forming tufts of narrow grassy foliage, 12-15" tall.
    In stock.
    Creeping Lily Turf {Bare Root Plants, min 50}
    50 - 249: $1.37 each  |  250 - 999: $1.07 each
    (Liriope) Pale lavender to white flower spikes bloom in late summer amidst dense arching, evergreen (in southern zones) mat-forming tufts of narrow grassy foliage, 12-15" tall.
    In stock.
    Creeping Lily Turf {2 1/2 in. Pots, min 54}
    54 - 107: $2.77 each  |  108 - 949: $2.47 each
    (Liriope) Pale lavender to white flower spikes bloom in late summer amidst dense arching, evergreen (in southern zones) mat-forming tufts of narrow grassy foliage, 12-15" tall.
    In stock.
    Creeping Lily Turf {3 1/2 in. Pots, min 25}
    25 - 249: $3.87 each  |  250 - 999: $3.67 each
    (Liriope) Pale lavender to white flower spikes bloom in late summer amidst dense arching, evergreen (in southern zones) mat-forming tufts of narrow grassy foliage, 12-15" tall.
    In stock.

    Specifications


    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



    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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