More commonly known as monkey grass, liriope is a grass-like, flowering plant commonly used to landscape temperate latitudes. Descending from East Asia, its evergreen foliage can spruce up any garden in a matter of weeks. Some forms grow quickly and aggressively, preventing erosion and making it an excellent groundcover.

Liriope can grow in conditions that would be unsuitable for many other plants. Always resilient, it can grow in wet or dry areas, flourish in the sun or in the shade, and hold its own against shallow soil, drought and deer. What’s more, the plant’s thick, mat-like qualities block the growth of weeds while producing flowers, making it a beautiful addition to any piece of land.

Liriope spicata – Spicata spreads quickly. For this reason, it is important to plant this variety of liriope in contained areas, such as the space between a road and a sidewalk. Others plant on steep, shady embankments to keep it from causing damage to other plants. While Spicata can grow in minimal amounts of direct sunlight, it should always be planted in well-drained soil as too much water can cause damage. Its blades, which are usually about one inch in height, often produce a spiky flower that ranges in color from white to lavender.

Liriope muscari – This variety of liriope does not spread.Known as the “clumping” variety, it tends to stay where it’s placed, regardless of the amount of sunlight it receives. It also blooms differently than the spicata, as its flowers are usually purple instead of white. Like all liriope, it is both durable and dependable, holding up against many environmental pressures.

• To keep your plants growing strong, water them with a foliar spray twice a year.
• Since they grow so quickly, liriope needs to be sheered back each winter. Not only does this keep the plant healthy, it keeps your garden looking its best.
• To propagate liriopes, lift the plants in late autumn or early spring and tease apart sections to ensure that each portion contains at least some rootstock. Once separated, place the liriopes back into the ground or pot from which they were taken. This process works best when done bi-yearly, as some plants may need an extra season to separate correctly
• Make sure to find a suitable place with plenty of space before planting. Liriope can grow anywhere, but it’s not uncommon for the plant to overtake an entire garden in a matter of months if not monitored.

As noted earlier, liriope spreads quickly. This makes it an excellent prototype for splitting, cutting a plant into two halves in an effort to increase the number of flora per garden. To split liriope and expand your garden:

• Don’t worry about splitting liriope in the fall. Unlike other plants, liriope spreads just as quickly in the spring.
• Dig up each clump individually, making sure you get all the roots.
• Spear each clump in half using a sharp shovel. If this does not work, try turning the clump upside down and using the shovel as a small saw to cut the halves apart.
• Each plant should be kept in an individual container until you are ready to place them in the ground. New plants should be given lots of water and shade if they are expected to reach their full growing potential.

Both liriope spicata and liriope muscari can be bought anywhere groundcovers are sold. These can include any local greenhouse or home gardening center, including but not limited to Lowes and Home Depot. The plants can also be bought online, and usually cost the buyer about ten to fifteen dollars a piece. This can be a good deal, depending on the size of your lawn and the number of plants needed.

• An excellent landscaping agent, liriope is often used to line the edges of roads, pathways and sidewalks.
• When used in abundance, certain varieties can provide an excellent and efficient ground cover.
• Liriope spicata can be used as a substitute for Ophiopogon japonicus, an herb used to prevent yin deficiency in Chinese medicine.

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Order: Asparagales

Family: Ruscaceae

Genus: Liriope