Liriope muscari Lilac Wonder

The Liriope 'Lilac Wonder' is a new variety of Liriope muscari that has the advantage of flowering very spontaneously, and offering a long flowering period with lilac flower spikes that are even more decorative as they are well visible against its spread-out foliage compared to other selections. Forming a lovely clump of slender evergreen leaves in a dark and glossy green colour, this small plant remains decorative even in winter. Hardy and very resistant, it can be a very attractive low-maintenance ground cover when planted in a row. It will elegantly adorn the base of trees, borders of flower beds or pathways, pots, and can even replace the short grass meadow in less frequented areas of the garden, including in dry shade.

The Liriope 'Lilac Wonder' is a new selection of Liriope muscari that reliably flowers. It belongs to the Liliaceae family (Asparagaceae), just like its native ancestor from temperate Southeast Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam). This herbaceous perennial with short and fibrous rhizomes forms clumps, so it is not invasive, and its stems are almost non-existent. It forms a dense bouquet of leaves, about 30 cm (12in) in all directions, slowly spreading to eventually form large dark attractive patches throughout the year. Its leaves are quite flexible, slightly trailing, ribbon-like, lanceolate, measuring 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) in length and about 1 to 2 cm (0 to 1in) in width. They are glossy and very dark green. Flowering occurs from August to October, depending on the climate, on short purple flower spikes. It takes the form of inflorescences in spikes about 35-40 cm (14-16in) tall, just slightly taller than the foliage but well above it, where numerous small round bells of a soft blue-violet color cluster together, harmonizing well with the dark foliage. The flowering, nectar-rich and visited by butterflies, is followed by the formation of black fruits.

It is a discreet yet elegant, accommodating, versatile, and very useful plant in a garden. Its great resistance to cold, drought, and shade allows it to be used in many situations: in light woodland, at the base of trees, as a border to emphasize the design of a pathway, in rockeries with heathers for example, or in Japanese-style gardens. Combine this beautiful Lilac Wonder variety with Chantilly Heuchera in moist soil, with small spring bulbs (snowdrops, muscari, botanical narcissus), or with lilies in a border or rockery exposed to morning sun. It is also a plant that grows very well in large pots, on a windowsill or balcony. It is so accommodating that it will forgive watering neglect and thrive in gardens without gardeners or weekend gardens.