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Liriope spicata

Phonetic Spelling
lih-RYE-oh-pee spih-KAH-tah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Lilyturf is a perennial, evergreen tufted or rhizomatous ornamental groundcover in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae ).  The name liriope is derived from new Latin and is a nymph in Roman mythology.  Though it may resemble an ornamental grass it is not a true grass.  While it is very tolerant of adverse conditions it can be quite weedy. It is listed as invasive in TN and GA.

This plant prefers light shade and fertile soil. The leaves are straplike up to 18-inches long, dark green turning to bronze-green in winter.  This plant grows between 6" and 10" tall. Flowers are spike-like clusters of pale violet to white, 6-parted, on elongated stems appearing in mid to late summer. The fruit is a blue-black berry. It tolerates salt spray, heat, drought, heavy shade.   

It forms a dense, uniform cover, unlike Liriope muscari, which forms clumps until well established several years after planting. This plant spreads quickly by rhizomes and can invade adjacent turf areas or other ground cover beds. Therefore, this Liriope may be best suited for planting in a bed surrounded by hardscape or confined with an edging (root barrier) that is 18 inches deep. It will grow well as erosion control on banks or as edging underneath trees or around shrubs where nothing else will grow. However, like other Liriope, it will not tolerate regular foot traffic. Liriope beds can be mowed each spring before the new growth begins to eliminate last year's unsightly foliage.  

This plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer and is drought and highly salt-tolerant.

Quick ID Hints:

  • 18" long, grass-like leaves with a 1/4" wide, serrulate margin
  • Pale violet or off-white flowers appear on short rachis in the summer

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is susceptible to scale, slugs, and snails.  Its aggressive growing tendencies make it very weedy and difficult to remove once established.  Alternative plants should be considered.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

More information on Liriope.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Satellite Dish Fountain Foundation Planting: Back of House Japanese Shade Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Silver Dragon'
'Silver Dragon'
Tags:
#purple#evergreen#drought tolerant#violet#white flowers#purple flowers#salt tolerant#lawn alternative#apvg#high maintenance#herbaceous#violet flowers#deer resistant#groundcover#grass-like#fantz#apvg-vg#heavy shade tolerant#stormwater demo garden orange co#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Silver Dragon'
'Silver Dragon'
Tags:
#purple#evergreen#drought tolerant#violet#white flowers#purple flowers#salt tolerant#lawn alternative#apvg#high maintenance#herbaceous#violet flowers#deer resistant#groundcover#grass-like#fantz#apvg-vg#heavy shade tolerant#stormwater demo garden orange co#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Liriope
    Species:
    spicata
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China and Vietnam
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are blue-black berries.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers form in spike-like clusters, are pale violet or off-white, are 6-parted, on an elongated stem, and are hidden among leaves on short rachis.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Grass-like, 18" long and 1/4" wide dark green leaves turn bronze-green in winter and have an entire margin. Leaves emerge directly from the ground.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    English Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Foot Traffic
    Heat
    Heavy Shade
    Pollution
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Problems:
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    No cases are known, but caution due to a relationship with known toxic plants
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits