Plant Min Zone: 4b
Plant Max Zone: 10b
Sunlight: Part Sun, Shade, Deep Shade
Water / Rainfall: Low, Average
Soil Quality: Poor, Average, Rich
Bloom Season: Summer
Flower Color: Light Purple
Berry / Fruit Color: Bluish Black
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green, Yellowish Green
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: Medium, High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Medium
Humidity Tolerance: High
Wind Tolerance: Medium
Poor Soil Tolerance: Clay Soils, Rocky Soils, Sandy Soils, Shallow Soils, Acidic Soil (low PH), Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 0.75' - 1'
Width: 1' - 2'
Growth Rate: Fast
Service Life: Extremely long: over 20 years
Maintenance Need: Almost Zero Maintenance
Spreading Potential: Medium
Yearly Trimming Tips: Trim Ornamental Grass to Ground in Early Spring before New Growth: Has Winter Interest.
Plant Grouping Size: Mass Planting of 10 or more
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure, East Exposure, North Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Root-Bound Soils Under Tree, Survives Severe Drought
Ornamental Features: Long Lasting Fall Color, Multiple Seasons of Interest, Fine Texture
Special Landscape Uses: Groundcover, Erosion Control, Lawn Substitute
Possible Pest Problems: None
Plant Limitations: Aggressive Rhizomes / Runners
Liriope (Liriope spitica) grows to form a dense, dark green, grass-like groundcover / turf in medium to full shade. (also called "Lilyturf"). As one of the very best "dry-shade" plants, it has environmental and economic traits that cannot be disputed. A typical homeowner will save hundreds of dollars a year on lawn maintenance costs. Large turflike installations can save thousands of dollars per year. Even under the most hostile conditions such as huge silver maple and pin oak trees, liriope not only survives but thrives. Liriope has no insect or disease problems, will survive droughts, short-term floods and cold winters. Liriope has a very low water requirement and a deep root system that allows it to draw water from a large area. Liriope thrives on only 1 deep watering per month in the summer to stay green. In the winter, it will stay green until zero degrees and be completely evergreen some winters. If the top Liriope grows to form a dense groundcover / turf in medium to full shade. Liriope requires no mowing maintenance (monthly mowing is optional to achieve 4" height) Un-mowed, it will grow uniformly 8-10" and appear like a lawn from a distance. Fewer weed problems occur; the dense growth of liriope grass smothers out existing weeds and prevents the germination of new seeds. The soft texture and medium green color are great assets; evergreen to 0ºF, survives -20. Liriope grows in zones 5-9; tolerates cold in the winter and heat / humidity in the summer. Liriope is tolerant of a wide range of soil types but prefers clay/loam and will display best growth in fertile soils with average water but extremely drought tolerant in shaded areas! For the home garden, the species is generally too aggressive to mix with other plants. Use as a groundcover or lawn substitute for dry-shade.