Variegated Liriope

Introduction

Variegated leaves and attractive, violet-blue flowers give this plant its charm. Variegated Liriope is a 6 to 12 inch tall herbaceous perennial that is useful in the landscape as a ground cover and accent pant. The 8 – 20 inch long, grass, grass-like leaves have a yellow stripe on their outer margin and arise from a central crown. The small, purple flowers occur in terminal racemes that sit atop an 8 – 10 inch tall, violet-brown scape. These flowers appear in the summer and are followed by blue-black berrylike fruits. Flowers are mostly inconspicuous due to the brightly colored foliage.

Use and Management

Varigated Liriope is a great plant for bordering a sidewalk or as an edging for a landscape bed. It will grow well underneath trees or around shrubs. However, it will not tolerate foot traffic. Variegated Liriope will grow in a sunny location, but prefers one that has partial shade or full shade. It prefers well-drained soils and is moderately tolerant of drought and salt spray. This plant has a negative reaction to high temperatures and can melt out in warm weather. Shear this plant back in spring with a sharp mower blade. This will encourage a flush of new growth. Do this before the new growth emerges. Liriope is easily propagated by division in early spring.

Planting

• Available in 2”, 4”, 6” pots or 1 gal containers.
• Suggested plant spacing are: 6” to 9” OC for 2” or 4” pots, 12” to 18” OC
  for 1 gal containers, Plant in triangular spacing.
• Bed Preparation: Spread 3” of bed mix in ground cover beds, Till 6” deep,
  rake beds to drain away from structure. Plant. Topdress with 2” of double ground
  (fine) hardwood mulch.
• Hand water in after planting
• Set sprinkler controller to water beds: Once every two days for two weeks in spring and early fall. Once a day for two weeks when temperatures reach 98+ degrees.
• Have Owner monitor moisture and report over or under watering immediately.
• After two weeks reassess the watering needs, and set at twice a week thereafter.