Harbingers of Fall - Part II - Liriope

Liriope

There are about five species of these stemless, grass-like, evergreen members of the Lily family. All are native to Japan, China and Vietnam. Of these, two are most common in gardens, Liriope muscari and Liriope spicata. They differ slightly in size, habit, flower, hardiness and tolerance of damp soil.

I grow both of them and in my USDA zone 7 garden. The most attractive in the border, in my opinion, is:

Liriope muscari

Liriope muscari (Big Blue Lilyturf), found in China and Japan, forms tufted clumps with thick tubers between 18 and 24 inches tall (45 - 60 cm), that can reach about 18 inches (45 cm) in diameter. It is rated hardy from USDA zones 5 to 10 and tolerates the intense heat and humidity of southern states, like Florida. If you find plants labeled L. graminifolia var. densiflora or L. Muscari var. densiflora, they are all one and the same.

The photograph I found for you does not really show the quality of the flower spikes, whose resemblance to Muscari (Grape Hyacinth) accounts for this species name. Typically, the 4 to 5 inch (10 - 12 cm) spikes have ten or more dense whorls made up of clusters of four to seven tiny flowers, each on a little lavender stalk; the entire spike held just above the foliage. The flower stems are lavender-tinted green, becoming more lavender as they reach the tip. The diminutive six petal bells open from 3/8 inch (0.95 cm) iridescent purple, oval buds; displaying minute lavender stamens tipped with cream colored pollen.

The flowers, which don't open simultaneously, close at night, returning to the bud shape. If you pick a stem after dark, you have to really look hard to tell which are buds and which are flowers. Exposed to the light in a room, the flowers will re-open. Now, these are not outrageously showy flowers, but a mature plant in full bloom is quite attractive. The flowers do make a nice addition to flower arrangements.

There are many cultivars of L. muscari available as well as a variation on the species, L. m. variegata, whose young leaves are yellow-striped, becoming completely green with age. This has dark violet flowers.

Cultivars with variegated foliage that keep the variegation throughout the season include:

• 'Silvery Midget' -- leaves banded with yellow; 6 inches (15 cm)tall; violet flowers;
  The copyright of the article Harbingers of Fall - Part II - Liriope in Shade Gardening is owned by Marge Talt. Permission to republish Harbingers of Fall - Part II - Liriope in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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