Liriope muscari Big Blue

The Liriope 'Big Blue' is a beautiful improvement of the liriope muscari type due to its more decorative flowering in large spikes of bright lilac-blue. For the rest, it possesses the same qualities; this perennial forms over time beautiful dense clumps of dark green glossy foliage that spread and occupy the soil, suffocating 'weeds', without becoming invasive. Decorative even in winter, with an unexpected late summer flowering, it will tolerate summer drought once established. The Liriope excels at the base of deciduous trees and bushes, along borders or pathways, but also in flower beds and planters.

The Liriope 'Big Blue' belongs to the family of Liliaceae or Asparagaceae according to classifications. It is derived from Liriope muscari, native to temperate Southeast Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam). This herbaceous perennial with short and fibrous rhizomes is clump-forming, therefore not invasive, and its stems are almost non-existent. It forms a bouquet of leaves, about 45-50 cm (18-20in) in all directions, slowly expanding to form large dark spots, attractive throughout the year. Its leaves are quite flexible, slightly trailing, ribbon-like, measuring about 30-40 cm (12-16in) long and 1 cm (0in) wide. They are glossy and very dark green. Flowering takes place between late August and October, depending on the climate, on short flower stems that emerge from the foliage. It takes the form of inflorescences in spikes about 30-40 cm (12-16in) tall, just slightly taller than the foliage, but numerous, crowded with tiny round bell-shaped flowers of bright lavender-blue. The flowering, nectar-rich and visited by butterflies, is followed by the formation of round, black and shiny fruits, quite decorative.

The Liriope is a versatile, elegant and accommodating plant that will prove useful in any garden. Its great resistance to cold, drought, competing roots and not too dense shade allows it to be used in many situations: in light woodland, at the base of trees, along borders to emphasize the design of a pathway, in Japanese-style gardens and even in a garden without irrigation in Mediterranean zones. Combine this variety Big Blue with Heuchera Chantilly in moist soil, with the variety 'Monroe White' with white stems and flowers, with small spring bulbs (snowdrops, grape hyacinths, botanical narcissus), or with small cyclamens in a border or rockery exposed to morning sun. It is also a plant that grows very well in large pots, on a terrace or balcony. It is so accommodating that it will forgive watering neglect, thrive in gardens without gardeners or weekend gardens.