Liriope - Lily Turf Big Blue

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, fertile soils in part shade in the St. Louis area. Tolerates a wide range of light conditions and soils. Will grow in close to full shade, but will produce more elongated foliage and spread more slowly. Also has good tolerance for heat, humidity and drought. Foliage is evergreen in warm southern climates, but declines considerably in areas with cold winters such as St. Louis. Cut foliage to the ground (mow large plots on high mower setting) in late winter to early spring in preparation for new growth. Plants may not be reliably winter hardy in the northern parts of USDA Zone 5 where they should be sited in protected locations.

Liriope muscari, commonly called lilyturf or blue lily turf, is a tufted, tuberous-rooted, grass-like perennial which typically grows 12-18" tall and features clumps of strap-like, arching, glossy, dark green leaves (to 1" wide). Clumps slowly expand by short stolons, but do not spread aggressively like Liriope spicata. Erect, showy flower spikes with tiered whorls of dense, violet-purple flowers rise above the leaves in late summer. Flowers give way to blackish berries which often persist into winter.