Monkey Grass or Lilyturf
A strappy leafed evergreen perennial, Liriope muscari is widely used as a ground cover plant. Over time it will form a dense carpet, excellent to planting beneath deciduous trees as well as in full sun.
Commonly called ‘Monkey Grass’ or the ‘Turf Lily’ Liriope muscari is a very useful landscaping plant originally from China, Taiwan and Japan.
Regarded as hardy in USDA zones 5 -10 this is an easy care plant that can be mown in late winter to early spring to give it a good tidy up.
Used in mass planting or planted in small clumps in the border, both the foliage and the flowers are attractive through the growing season. In colder zones the foliage can begin to look a little tatty at the end of winter, this is where the mowing comes in.
Liriope muscari Care
Regarded as hardy in USDA zones 5 -10 this is an easy care plant that can be mown in late winter to early spring to give it a good tidy up.
Planting
- Prepare the soil well digging on some well rotted compost and aged animal manure if required.
- Space plants according to needs
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser, this will stimulate root growth.
- Do not mow in the first two years, the roots need time to establish. When you need to mow set the blades high at first and mow a small stein to ensure that plants resound well. You can then lower the mower a little.
- Only mow once a year, alway in late winter to spring, and water well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser after mowing.
Spacing for Liriope Muscari
- Spacing will depend on the size of the clumps. It will also depend on how quickly you want to establish an area.
- For quick establishment of a large areas, smaller sizes are best for mass planting, and plant at around 6 ” apart. Try for a triangular pattern rather than in rows, it looks better.
- Average 9″ apart
- Much cheaper, however longer in filling in – plant up to 18″ apart.
Used in mass planting or planted in small clumps in the border, both the foliage and the flowers are attractive through the growing season. In colder zones the foliage can begin to look a little tatty at the end of winter, this is where the mowing comes in.
Liriope muscari species and cultivars include:
- Liriope muscari ‘variegata’ – Green foliage with cream to white margins
- Liriope muscari ‘ Big Blue’ – Taller growing reaching 18 – 24 inches
- Liriope muscari ‘ Monroe White’ – This is a white flowering variety
- Liriope muscari ‘ Royal Cascade’
- iriope muscari ‘Evergreen Giant’ – Violet purple flowers and will take some foot traffic
Propagation
Easy by division after plants have been allowed to establish for 3 – 4 years. The best time to divide Liriope muscari is in early spring.
