How to grow Liriope
Also known as lily turf, Liriope is a low-growing, tufted perennial found growing in woodland habitats in China, Japan, Tiawan, and Vietnam. It bears arching, grass-like foliage and dense spikes of small flowers followed by black berries.
Of the five or six species, two are widely cultivated by gardeners. By far the most popular is the evergreen Liriope muscari, the violet flowers of which resemble grape hyacinth (hence the species name ‘muscari’). It blooms from early to late autumn, providing a welcome splash of late colour in the garden. There is an array of cultivated forms offering variations in flower and leaf colour.
The other is L. spicata. As opposed to the tuberous L. muscari which forms tight, well-behaved clumps, L. spicata is rhizomatous with a vigorous spreading habit. It has finer foliage and earlier flowers which are white to pale lilac.
Liriope is tough, undemanding, and valued for its adaptability to a range of conditions. It is a ‘go to’ plant for many gardeners faced with dry shade, and is notably resistant to rabbit damage.
Zantedeschia is a genus of flowering plants from the family Araceae and is native to southern Africa. With a rich history dating back to the Ancient Romans, these deciduous or semi-evergreen perennials have been used as a symbol of celebration. Zantedeschia was Named after Professor Giovanni Zantedeschia, an Italian botanist.
There are two main forms of Zantedeschia: hardy and tender. Hardy forms of the plant can be grown outdoors, enjoy moist soil and full sun or partially shaded conditions - these are known as Arum lilies. Tender forms of Zantedeschia prefer being grown in containers or pots and should be brought inside over the winter - these are known as Calla lilies.
With tuberous flora in all colours from whites, yellows and oranges to deep reds and purples, Zantedeschias are not to be overlooked in any garden, as long as they have sufficient sunlight to grow in.
Ready to learn more about growing Zantedeschia? Read on for all there is to know...
Key Information
Soil pH
Position
Hardiness
Where & when to plant Liriope
Position - Partial shade is ideal. Although Liriope will grow in full shade, this usually means fewer flowers (and consequently, berries). It will also tolerate a sunnier spot if kept moist throughout summer.
Choose a spot sheltered from cold, drying winds.
Soil - Suitable for most well-draining soils, including dry areas. Avoid heavy, wet soils or a strongly alkaline pH.
Flowering Period - L. muscari: autumn
L. spicata: late summer
Hardiness - Hardy.
L. muscari is rated H5 (-10 to -15°C).
L. spicata is H4 (-5 to -10°C).
Liriope tends to be available as a pot-grown plant. While in theory this means it can be planted at any time of year, best results come from autumn or spring. An autumn planting can be done by those gardening in mild conditions (and broadly speaking, this is the southern half of the UK). For those liable to cold, wet winters, it is best to wait until spring (generally the northern half of the UK, or those with very heavy soil). Planting can also be carried out in summer, though be prepared to water regularly.
L. muscari is suitable for a shady border or the dry, dappled shade beneath trees and shrubs. It can be planted en masse to create striking and reliable ground cover.
L. spicata spreads rapidly, meaning fewer initial plants are needed to cover an area of ground. Try though to plant only where its spreading habit won’t be a problem. This might be a contained space where there are no other plants, or somewhere such as a steep bank where allowing it to run free will be advantageous in reducing erosion. If you do wish to grow this species amongst other plants, regular trowel action will be needed to keep spreading rhizomes in check.
While the clump-forming L. muscari is happy in a container, a natural urge to spread means L. spicata is less well suited to life in a pot.
How to plant Liriope
· For planting in the garden, dig the soil area removing any large stones and weeds and breaking up any lumps. Mix in plenty of organic matter such as manure or garden compost. Rake level and firm with your heels. Rake level again.
· Water plants well and allow to drain before planting.
· Dig a hole twice the width of the root-ball.
· Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball sits level with the surface of the soil. Too low and the plant may rot, too high and the roots can dry out.
· Backfill with soil and firm in gently with your foot.
· Soak well with water.
· Mulch around the base with well-rotted organic matter.
· For planting in a container, first choose an appropriately sized pot just a few centimetres larger than the rootball and with plenty of drainage holes in the bottom.
· If you are using a heavy pot, it can be a good idea to fill and plant it in situ to save yourself the trouble of moving once full.
· Use a good quality potting compost with plenty of horticultural grit mixed in, and, if not already present in the compost (check the description on the bag) some slow-release fertiliser granules.
· Start by partially filling the pot with compost; enough so that when placed on it the upper surface of the root ball is about 3cm lower than the top of the pot.
· Infill all the space surrounding the root ball with compost, firming down with your fingers then adding a little more so the plant is held tight.
· Pick up the container and lightly tap on the potting bench or ground a few times to help further settle the compost around the plant.
· Soak well with water.
· A mulch with horticultural grit will look attractive and help to prevent a ‘cap’ or crust forming on the top of the compost (something container plants can suffer due to the artificial nature of their watering).
What to plant with Liriope
If, like many gardeners, you’ve decided to grow Liriope for its ability to thrive in dry shade, other similarly inclined companions may include Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae, Japanese anemone, lily of the valley, epimedium, hellebore, and ferns such as dryopteris and polystichum.
How to care for Liriope
Pruning and Deadheading
Resist the urge to remove spent flowers or you’ll miss out on the handsome, shiny black berries that follow. As well as striking looks these berries offer great wildlife value too, providing late autumn nourishment to birds such as blackbirds and pheasants. Try to leave Liriope untouched until spring, at which point how ruthlessly you tidy depends on species and age. For the evergreen L. muscari, simply clear out any old, dead, or damaged leaves, along with last year’s flower spikes. After a few years you may feel the plant is beginning to look untidy, in which case it can be rejuvenated with a hard cut back.
L. spicata is semi-evergreen and more likely to look the worse for wear after winter. This species benefits from a full cut back in spring.
Watering
Soak newly planted Liriope a handful of times during its first couple of months in the ground. After this, it is drought tolerant and should be self-sufficient in all but the most prolonged periods of hot, dry weather.
If you are growing Liriope in a container, remember it will have less access to moisture and therefore need regular watering throughout the growing season. Allowing the top couple of centimetres of compost to dry out in between is a useful rule of thumb to avoid overdoing it. From mid-autumn, the British climate tends to take over watering needs, though do remember to step in in the event of an unseasonably dry spell.
Feeding
Liriope is not a hungry plant, and in reasonable garden soil a mulch of well-rotted organic matter (i.e., a layer of leaf mould, manure, or garden compost applied to the soil around the plant) should provide more than enough nutrients. This has the added benefit of suppressing weeds and locking in moisture. Mulch when planting, and then again each spring.
Container-grown plants are different as they rely solely on the gardener for nutrition. Get off to a flying start by making sure you use a good quality compost with slow-release granules mixed in. These generally provide nutrients for around 6 to 8 weeks, after which you’ll need to apply a balanced liquid feed once a month until the end of the growing season.
Cold Protection
Provided it is not grown in heavy, waterlogged soil, L. muscari is hardy enough to withstand a UK winter without the need for additional protection. L. spicata is marginally less hardy, though should still be fine in all but the harshest of winter conditions. For those who live in northerly or exposed areas, a protective covering of something dry such as straw or bracken can help avoid winter damage.
Pests and Diseases
Liriope is an exceptionally tough, robust plant, however slugs and snails can be a nuisance – particularly on young, fresh growth. Encouraging natural predators into your garden, such as birds, frogs, toads, and hedgehogs, makes a big difference. Torchlight searches after dark (when slugs and snails are at their most active) are also effective, allowing you to collect the offending molluscs in a bucket and dispose of as you see fit. Relocating to a nearby woods or bagging up and putting in your freezer before popping them in the bin are said to be the most humane approaches.
How to propagate Liriope
The quickest and easiest way to propagate Liriope is by division in spring. As well as generating new plants this breathes life into tiring clumps and, in the case of L. spicata, provides an opportunity to control unwanted spread.
1. Choose a day when the soil is not frozen or waterlogged.
2. Dig the plant out of the ground.
3. Shake off any excess soil. There is likely to be many small, white tubers on the roots of L. muscari. This is as it should be, and nothing to be concerned about.
4. Separate the plant into sections using either swift, cutting blows with a sharp spade, or two forks inserted back-to-back with tines touching, handles then pushed together to prise the plant apart.
5. Discard old, damaged, or surplus pieces, keeping healthy, vigorous material.
6. Replant decent-sized pieces where desired, and any smaller bits can be potted up.
7. Water well until fully established.
* Many plants carry Plant Breeders Rights and cannot be propagated for commercial purposes.
Common Liriope Questions
Does Liriope need sun or shade?
The ideal is partial or dappled shade. Plant in full/ deep shade if you like, though expect reduced flowering. Full sun is an option, though reduces tolerance of dry soil.
Is Liriope easy to grow?
One of the easiest plants we know of. Liriope is virtually indestructible, as its popularity in municipal planting all over the world attests.
Are you supposed to cut back Liriope?
This depends on what species you have and how long you’ve had it. See our ‘Pruning and Deadheading’ section for more information.
