Liriope muscari

Liriope muscari is an excellent woodland perennial, capable of growing in the roots of trees, where the soil is often poor and quite dry in summer. Forming clumps of narrow, tightly packed leaves, it slowly spreads as a carpet to effectively cover the ground, while remaining decorative in winter. It is also appreciated for its beautiful summer to autumn flowering, which can be more or less late, consisting of upright spikes with tightly packed small violet flowers. This cousin of ophiopogon is the perfect ally for creating a harmonious garden by embellishing areas neglected by other plants.

Liriope muscari belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It is native to the woodlands of China, Korea, and Japan. It has excellent cold resistance (-20°C (-4°F)). It prefers light, slightly acidic to neutral, slightly moist soil. However, it can adapt to slightly chalky soils (enriched with compost) and drier conditions where its growth will be slowed down.

This herbaceous perennial forms clumps, with slowly spreading rhizomes and almost non-existent stems. Its vegetation persists throughout the year, even in winter. It forms a dense bouquet of leaves, measuring about 40cm (16in) in all directions, slowly spreading to form large dark patches. Its growth is relatively slow, and it never becomes invasive. Its leaves are ribbon-like and lanceolate, measuring over 15cm (6in) in length and about 1cm (0.4in) in width. They are glossy and very dark green. The summer flowering continues until October. The inflorescences are blackish spikes that can reach 40cm (16in) in height, bearing numerous small light violet bells. The bright flowers are perfectly highlighted by the dark foliage. The flowering is followed by the formation of black fruits.

Forming a large clump of grass that remains decorative throughout the year, even in winter, and robust and dense enough to discourage 'weeds', Liriope muscari has many advantages. It is sturdy, adaptable, and requires little maintenance once established, bringing a touch of lushness and a well-groomed appearance to neglected areas of the garden. Plant it every 40cm (16in) along a semi-shaded path, at the base of a hedge, or under lightly foliated tall trees, and it will quickly form a superb and tidy carpet. It also grows very well in pots, on a windowsill or balcony. It is so accommodating that it will forgive watering neglect and thrive in low-maintenance gardens.