It’s the month of September, and this attractive grass-like perennial is fully in its showy flowering stage. This variegated liriope, called Lilyturf, has flower spikes that look a bit like those of the grape hyacinth. The flower spikes, tucked in among the leaves, are a lavender shade, contrasting beautifully against its green and cream leaves.
The botanical name for Lilyturf is Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’, which grows in a clump-form and can reach just about 20” in height. Variegated Lilyturf is not an aggressive perennial – it spreads slowly. It is considered low maintenance, which we all love to hear, right?
Source: Missouri Botanical Garden
The wide (1” or less range) leaves are long and arch in a fountain-like habit. This perennial likes full sun to partial shade to full shade, and tolerates heat, humidity, and bouts of dry conditions. In fact, it does well in a wide range of soil moisture conditions – from dry to moist. And a wide range of soil types, too.
Lilyturf is hardy in zones 5 – 10. It is evergreen in the warmer zones, but will likely turn brownish in the colder zones. In the deeper south and west zones, it may require afternoon shade. In the spring, the old foliage can be easily removed by mowing it, before the new grow begins.
This low growing perennial is just beautiful as a continuous border edge in a plant bed adjacent to the lawn, or one along a walk. Its variegated leaves make an attractive contrast to a green lawn.
Source: Green Leaf Nursery
Planting Lilyturf on a slope will help to reduce erosion. According to sources, the plant grows and expands by sending out horizontal stolons which help to stabilize the slope.
It flowers in August – September, and it’s always nice to see plants that bloom in late summer. Besides, all the other things it tolerates, the Lilyturf is deer and rabbit resistant.
Sounds almost like the perfect perennial, doesn’t it?
