Lily Turf Liriope muscari
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Lily Turf:
Previously known as:
- Liriope exiliflora
- Liriope gigantea
- Phonetic Spelling
- lih-RYE-oh-pee mus-KAY-ree
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Lilyturf is a broadleaf evergreen, clump-forming, perennial in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family. 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.
Lilyturf requires acidic to neutral well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate almost full shade but growth is slow and leaves are elongated.
Narrow, grass-like leaves grow up to 24 inches tall and are long-lasting. This low maintenance plant blooms in late summer with spikes of purple flowers that are followed by nearly black berries.
In their first year they will need regular watering to keep soils moist but once they are established they require very little supplemental irrigation. They are light feeders and benefit from a slow-release or organic fertilizer applied in the early spring. To maintain an attractive appearance, cut back tops each February before new growth begins. It is normally not necessary to propagate liriope plants as they are aggressive growers though this plant is less aggressive than L. spicata.
Use lilyturf for edging, rock gardens, containers, in woodland settings, or as a ground cover. It is drought and deer tolerant, moderately salt-tolerant, and can be used as a lawn alternative for lawns that receive occasional light foot traffic.
Quick ID Hints:
- Plant is acaulescent
- Berries are aborted before winter
- Linear leaves are about 0.5 to 1 inch wide
- Plant is rhizomatous
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Anthracnose, leaf and crown rot, slugs, and snails are occasional problems though it is a mostly problem free plant.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Lush Foundation Planting Cottage Style Foundation Planting Backyard Planting Four-Season Garden Woodland Walk Floricyle Asian Garden- Pathway
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Evergreen Giant'
- 'Marc Anthony'
- 'Royal Purple'
- 'Silver Sun'
- 'Variegata'
White striped leaves - 'Webster'
yellow leaves
Pale violet-purple flowers - 'Evergreen Giant'
- 'Evergreen Giant', 'Marc Anthony', 'Pee Dee Ingot', 'Royal Purple', 'Silver Sun', 'Silvery Sunproof', 'Variegata', 'Webster'
- Tags:

















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Evergreen Giant'
- 'Marc Anthony'
- 'Royal Purple'
- 'Silver Sun'
- 'Variegata'
White striped leaves - 'Webster'
yellow leaves
Pale violet-purple flowers - 'Evergreen Giant'
- 'Evergreen Giant', 'Marc Anthony', 'Pee Dee Ingot', 'Royal Purple', 'Silver Sun', 'Silvery Sunproof', 'Variegata', 'Webster'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Liriope
- Species:
- muscari
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Play Value:
- Defines Paths
- Textural
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b, 10b, 10a
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are a 1/3" globose berry that start green and ripen to a shiny black.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers small, purple, densely clustered, 6-parted, and appear on an elongated 6-8" spike-like raceme with congested rachis. Blooms late summer.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Slippery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are narrow, grass-like, linear-ligulate, 1" X 2', dark green.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are acaulescent.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Foot Traffic
- Heavy Shade
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
- Salt