This popular edging plant life remain light-green year - stave in many clime .
The perennial lilyturf(Liriope ) is popular as anedging plantor groundcover for safe cause . It stays green class - round in many clime , produces passably blue or white flowers , and is a rugged plant . Its impenetrable tufts of almost evergreen , broadly grassy farewell are often strip . Stiff stems bear tight spikes of petite blue or white bells , similar to those ofgrape hyacinth . Lilyturf is fearless in Zones 5 - 10 and does salutary when protect from drying current of air in productive , well - enfeeble grime that retains wet .
Where to Plant Lilyturf
Lilyturf grow best inpartial shade , but they can also take lots of Sunday and thrive in nearly complete subtlety . If they rise in very shady spots , the flora lean to be long-legged , and they ’ll need more time to spread out if used as a groundcover . Its adaptability makes it desirable for nearly any situation . They make an attractive edging to a border or way .
How and When to Plant Lilyturf
For the right outcome , plant life Liriope muscari in leaping and summertime . Amend the soil if needed before planting . infinite out the plants far enough , at least 1 foot , to allow for scatter . Dig a large hole to accommodate the root globe and loosen the roots before planting . After backfilling the dirt , imbue the root bywatering deeply . Add 1 inch of woodwind mulch .
Lilyturf Care Tips
Lilyturf plants are leisurely to grow . employ them as a ground cover , planted in a mathematical group , or as aborder adjoin along walkways , paths and garden beds .
Light
Lilyturf boom in just about any condition from full sun to weak tad .
Soil and Water
Lilyturf will do finely as long as the soil is n’t very sluggish . It can grow in moist dirt and demand about 1 inch of weewee per week since it ’s somewhat drought - liberal . This plant like moderately acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 .
Temperature and Humidity
Warm temperature from 65ºF to 75ºF are idealistic for lily turf . If it is much hotter than this in your area during the summertime , plant lily turf where ithas some shadeto protect it from the afternoon heat , but too much shade results in leggy plants .
In areas with the cold-blooded wintertime , provide protection for the plant by issue it back to just above the summit and traverse it with a layer of farewell . transfer the cover in springiness before new development emerges .
Established plants can stomach excessive humidity .
Credit: Jay Wilde
Fertilizer
Liriope does n’t needa lot of fertilizer . Add a 10 - 10 - 10 type in the spring . That should be sufficient , especially if you have rich soil . Be careful because too much plant food can increase the chances of disease and worm job . For the amount to use , keep an eye on product label commission .
Pruning
When Liriope muscari bloom slice , cut them back to keep the plant looking tidy . Prune plantsbefore the spring grow time of year to facilitate Modern growth and remove the plants of dead leaf .
Potting and Repotting Lilyturf
Lilyturf can beplanted in jackpot , although it ’s unremarkably used for borders and groundcover . apply a container prominent enough so it wo n’t need to be repot for at least two to three years . It should be 3 inches longer and deeper than the works you apply , and it should have drainage hole . Use a good - calibre potting mixture that ’s well - draining .
Pests and Problems
Lilyturf can be invade by the usual garden pests when grow indoors , like aphid or mealybugs . alfresco , slugs and snailscan cause damage to these plants . Use an insect powder recommended for these pests , preferably a lifelike formula .
Fungal disease that sham lilyturf areanthracnoseand leaf and crown rot . Both can be bring on by heavy rains . plant infected should be trimmed to about 3 inches from the terra firma to remove all in and pathologic leaves .
How to Propagate Lilyturf
Propagate lily turf either by divide the industrial plant or by cum . It ’s easier to mature lilyturf from shared out plant than from seed .
variance : To split lilyturf , choose an constitute industrial plant at least three age old . snarf the full plant life and rootball by digging straight down 1 inch from the theme of the plant with a acuate nigga and then lift out the rootball . Cut the works into four or more section , see to it each section has a good selection of roots and foliage . If the roots are extremely tough , you may need touse a sawto make the divisions .
Plant each division intoprepared soilin the garden or a container . In either case , amend the dirt with compost before planting to encourage root production . Plant the naval division , ensuring the root ’s pennant is not covered with soil to keep it from moulder . Tamp down the soil to remove aura pockets . Keep the plant well - watered until it recovers from the process . Do n’t be surprised if a few leafage turn yellow and die on the edge of the division .
Credit: Jay Wilde
Seeds : you may also reap seed from lilyturf plants . Trim a few stem with flowers and leave them in a place to dry . Then , take the seeds from the flowers . Put them in a bowl of warm water to pawn 24 hours before you be after to sow the seeds . Fill agarden traywith a moist , sterile planting culture medium . Place the seeds 1 inch apart and insure them with 1/4 inch of the planting medium . Mist the tray and use a large plastic traveling bag to make a greenhouse .
Move the tray to a warm place and mist the planting sensitive occasionally over the next several calendar week . Germination occurs about a calendar month later . Remove the plastic bag and wait for the seedlings to grow a piece . Then , gently move the seedlings outside to muddle you have prepared , spacing them 1 foot asunder .
Types of Lilyturf
‘Lilac Beauty’ Lilyturf
Liriope muscari’Lilac Beauty ' has showy spikes of lilac flowers above hearty light-green leaves . Zones 6 - 10
Variegated Lilyturf
Liriope muscari’Variegata ' bears cream - edged leave and get tiny brilliant blue flower spikes in fall . Zones 6 - 10
Lilyturf Companion Plants
Periwinkle
The perennialperiwinkleis a trailing plant life with star - shape low heyday and glossy dark-green leaves . Zones 4 - 9
Toad Lily
Toad lily ’s specked flowers add abright touch to a garden . This perennial grow in shade . Zones 4 - 9
Lilyturf Garden Plans
Tropical-Look Garden Plan
Use a well - post container filled withcolorful plantsto cater a show - stopping focal point in this tropic - look garden design . Do n’t bury tolook for hummingbirds ; they ’ll be pull in to the brightly color prime .
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone who is concerned because they ’ve learn lilyturf can be aggressive should choose clumping lilyturf ( Liriope muscari ) for the home garden ; it produce to no more than 24 column inch wide-eyed and does not spread by runner .
Avoid propagate lilyturf ( Liriope spicata ) , which covers a all-encompassing area and can be hard to contain . Even if you dig it up , it comes back the next year from rhizomes go out in the dirt .
Yes , lilyturf — also foretell monkey grass or wanderer grass — is salt atomizer tolerant , making it great for oceanfront or ocean - adjacent home plate . Its fronds will wave mildly in the ocean breeze .
aboriginal to East Asia , there are 5 variations of lilyturf . They all have the same canonical gadget characteristic , including glob of evergreen - like plant and farseeing , minute parting .
Top Shade Perennials
Credit: Jay Wilde
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Illustration by Tom Rosborough
