You are here:About>Home & Garden>Landscaping> Landscaping Problems> Plants for Shady Areas> Liriope 
About.comLandscaping
Picture of Liriope, or lilyturf
Picture of Liriope, or lilyturf, an ornamental grass effective in deer control.
Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg
Resources Related to Liriope Spicata

Deer ControlLandscape PlantsLandscape Design Ideas

Resources Related to Liriope Spicata

Flower PicturesLawn Care TipsShade Plants

Border Grass: Liriope Spicata

From David Beaulieu,
Your Guide to Landscaping.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Taxonomy of Border Grass (AKA Lilyturf, Liriope): Plant taxonomy classifies border grass as Liriope spicata. Another common name for the plant is "lilyturf." But since its genus name, Liriope is also often used virtually as a common name for this perennial, below I will simply refer to it by its scientific name.
Plant Type for Liriope Spicata: Liriope spicata plants are herbaceous perennials. They are treated as an ornamental grass, even though they are actually a member of the lily family (as the common name, "lilyturf" suggests). In terms of landscaping use, they are employed as a ground cover.
Characteristics of Liriope Spicata: The blades of Liriope spicata reach, at most, 1' in height. Liriope spicata has a spikey flower, ranging in color from white to lavender. In autumn, it bears a dark berry. It is a deer-resistant plant.
Sun and Soil Requirements for Liriope Spicata: Liriope spicata can be grown in partial shade, although it doubles as a sun-plant. It profits from water, but as long as you plant Liriope spicata in partial shade, it will tolerate drier conditions. Either way, it needs well-drained soil.
Planting Zones for Liriope Spicata: Liriope spicata can be grown in zones 4-10.
Plant Care for Liriope Spicata: Liriope spicata is a vigorous grower (see below). Keep after it if you want to restrict it to one area. Set up barriers to its spread using landscape edging and/or dig it up if it spreads where you don't want it.
Caveat in Growing Liriope Spicata: Liriope spicata plants spread via rhizomes, and are vigorous growers, to the point of being considered invasive plants.
Uses for Liriope Spicata in Landscape Design: Like many ground covers, two of the common uses for Liriope spicata are for erosion-prevention and weed control.
Resources Related to Liriope Spicata

Deer ControlLandscape PlantsLandscape Design Ideas

Resources Related to Liriope Spicata

Flower PicturesLawn Care TipsShade Plants

Related Articles

Plants for Dry Shade

 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.