One of the more popular landscaping ornamental grasses Liriope muscari is available in a number of forms
Widely in landscaping as an easy care, flowering ground cover Liriope Muscari or ‘Turf Lily’ is an evergreen perennial strap leafed plant sometimes as a lawn substitute in no traffic areas.
It is available as tubestock and this is the most economical for mass plantings. More mature plants in larger pot sizes are also sold for an immediate effect as a feature plant.
With a range of varieties available for sale online including the well known ‘evergreen giant’, ‘big blue’, ‘variegata’, and’ majestic’ Liriope Muscari is a tough, drought resistant plant and easy to establish.
Landscaping Uses
Used as a ground cover plant, border plant as well as for under planting larger plants in containers perhaps the best known is Liriope muscari ‘Evergreen giant’, also known as the ‘Giant Turf Lily’.
Where It Works Best
Liriope muscari is suited to:
- Border edging along paths and driveways
- Mass planting for weed suppression
- Underplanting trees and shrubs
- Container planting in shaded patios
- Low-traffic lawn alternatives
The cultivar ‘Evergreen Giant’ is especially useful for larger spaces due to its height and density.
How To grow Liriope Muscari
Used as are popular as an evergreen ground cover or low growing clumping border plant, Liriope Muscari have broad strap like foliage, and comes in a range of cultivars with purple pink or white flowers resembling grape hyacinth on 45cm stems during Autumn.
Position
- Best in morning sun with afternoon shade
- Tolerates deeper shade but flowering may reduce
- Handles full sun in cooler climates
Soil Requirements
- Prefers well-drained, humus-rich soil
- Tolerates poorer soils once established
Soil Preparation
Good soil preparation makes a big difference to early growth.
- Remove weeds thoroughly before planting
- Dig through compost or well-rotted manure
- Improve drainage in heavy soils with gypsum or coarse organic matter
Planting Liriope Muscari
When To Plant
- Australia: Spring to early autumn
- Avoid extreme heat or frost periods
Spacing Guide
- 15–25 cm apart for fast coverage
- Around 6–9 plants per square metre
- Closer spacing = quicker weed suppression
Planting Steps
- Water plants before planting
- Plant at the same depth as in pots
- Water in with seaweed solution
- Keep soil moist during establishment
Avoid strong fertilisers for the first 6–8 weeks.
Ongoing Care
Liriope Muscari are happy in morning sun or partial shade and can withstand dry conditions once established.
Watering and Fertilising
- Water regularly during establishment
- Once established, only deep water during extended dry periods
- Apply slow-release fertiliser in spring
- Mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Pruning and Maintenance
- Remove old foliage by hand or rake
- Cut back every 3–4 years in late winter
- Mow lightly in early spring if used as a lawn substitute
- Always use sharp blades to avoid tearing leaves
Liriope muscari as a Lawn Substitute
It can work as a lawn alternative, but only in areas with little to no foot traffic. It provides a soft, green look but won’t tolerate wear like traditional turf.
Common Problems
- Poor flowering: Often due to too much shade
- Yellowing leaves: Usually drainage issues
- Slow spread: Normal for clumping species
Propagation
Best done by division:
- Lift mature clumps in spring
- Divide into smaller sections
- Replant and water well
Summary Information
- Flowering time – From mid summer onward.
- Position – From dappled shade to part sun.
- Soil – Well drained humus rich
- Height – Depends on variety.
- Growth rate – Slow to medium.
- Water requirements – Reasonably drought tolerant once established in a part shaded position
Liriope muscari Varieties and Cultivars
- Liriope muscari ‘Emerald Cascade’
- Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’
- ‘Isabella’ is a cultivar with much finer foliage than others, lovely pink flowers in summer.
- ‘Evergreen Giant’ is a tall growing cultivar to around .5m. The usual purple flowers in summer and as a drought tolerant low maintenance plant this is an excellent choice for a border or planted in a clump as ground cover plant.
- ‘Samantha’ is a slightly lower growing plant with lovely pink flowers, an excellent foil against its taller relatives
- ‘Monroe White’ is a relatively new release, it seems to form a nice clump and with its near white flowers provides a nice highlight in the garden
Can you mow Liriop Muscari ?
Yes you can and the best time is in spring before it begins new growth. A mower set to a good height can remove the old foliage and help clean it up for the new growth. Make sure the blades on the mower are nice and sharp to avoid tearing.
This is also a good time to fertilise, use a slow release granular fertiliser, or water in some liquid seaweed fertiliser.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Liriope muscari
- Common Name – Turf Lily
- Growth Habit – Strap leafed ground cover plant
- Growth Rate – Medium to fast
- Soil – Humus rich well drained
- Sun – Full sun to afternoon shade in hotter climates.
- Water – Drought tolerant once established, water well through first summer.
- Landscaping Uses – Ground cover, edging plant, lawn substitute and container plant
- Pruning – Can be pruned back in late winter to tidy up old foliage.
- Propagation – Best by division of older clumps.
- Container growing – Suited to containers
Liriope muscari is available for sale from the following nurseries and growers
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
Online and Retail Melbourne and Geelong based garden centres. Check out their large range of indoor and outdoor plants, Australian Natives, Fruit Trees and Edibles, Succulents, Gardenias, Camellias, Hydrangeas plus a full range garden products for delivery in Melbourne.
www.diacos.com.au
52 Rodd St Canowindra NSW 2804
An online nursery specialising in drought and frost tolerant perennials and fragrant, edible and herbs.
www.perennialle.com.au
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au
Wholesale Growers
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au