when to divide variegated liriope

Ideally, the process of dividing liriope should be done in early spring before new growth has resumed. Due to the hardy nature of this plant, however, it is possible to successfully divide this plant later in the season.

How do you transplant variegated liriope?

Cover the roots and rhizomes with soil but do not plant the crowns too deeply; try to keep them at the same level at which they were previously planted. Space individual plants of spreading liriope 12 to 16 inches apart in staggered rows. Space clumping or slow-growing liriope 6 to 10 inches apart in staggered rows.

Does Liriope need to be cut back?

It is not necessary, but homeowners and landscapers often trim liriope just prior to spring to remove old-looking and tattered foliage. Time the pruning before new growth has started to emerge in the spring. The trimmed foliage is usually a good candidate for your compost.

How do you propagate Liriope?

The best and easiest way to propagate this plant is through simple division. It is the nature of the plant to keep producing more and more new crowns and those crowns can easily be split off and used to start new plants. The ideal time to propagate this plant is in the very late fall, or early spring.

How do you care for Liriope variegation?

Liriope tolerates shady to sunny conditions, but flowers best in sun. First-summer Liriope requires regular watering, or it may wilt and droop. Once it has had a chance to establish, the plant will become quite tolerant of drought conditions. After several seasons, Liriope may become ragged-looking.

Does variegated Liriope spread?

Liriope Muscari Variegata is an evergreen perennial that easily spreads to form a deep carpet of grass-like plants that makes a great ground cover or border plant.

How far apart do you plant Liriope?

Variegated Liriope Spacing

For a grassy ground cover, space plants 18 inches apart on-center. For an accent plant, space at least 24 inches apart.

How do you winterize Liriope?

Late winter and early spring are also good times to dig and divide lilyturf plants. To do so, simply dig the plant and divide using a sharp pair of garden shears or a shovel. Plant the divided clumps in the desired location by digging a hole at least twice as wide and deep as the plant's root ball.

Does Liriope dieback in winter?

They are almost semi-evergreen. They're not really an evergreen, but the foliage isn't harshly affected by a frost or a freeze. The foliage actually looks okay throughout most of the winter. Then come spring the old growth starts to die back and new growth emerges from the crown.

Is Liriope a perennial or an annual?

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).

Can Liriope grow in shade?

Liriope is remarkably tough. It will grow in deep shade or full sun, sand or clay. It can endure heat, drought and salt spray, but will not take “wet feet”; it requires moist, well-drained soil.

How deep are Liriope roots?

This plant spreads quickly by rhizomes and can invade adjacent turf areas or other ground cover beds. Therefore, this liriope may be best suited for planting in a bed surrounded by hardscape or confined with an edging (root barrier) that is 18 inches deep.

Can Liriope be cut back in summer?

Answer: There are several plants that are virtually impossible to kill. One of them is liriope, or monkey grass. Therefore, you do not have to wait until late winter to trim the leaves back. ... For birds, their summer foods of insects, spiders, and berries are all but gone during the winter months.

Is Liriope poisonous to dogs?

Walter Reeves lists liriope as a plant that can cause stomach upset when large quantities are consumed even though the berries or plant are not specifically listed as poisonous. Avoid consuming any part of the plant and keep pets away from the berries if you suspect a problems with accidental consumption.

Does Liriope stay green in winter?

Liriope spicata is green all summer—and winter—long. Japanese pachysandra is an extremely common ground cover for shaded landscapes. It spreads quickly and, once established, remains weed- and maintenance-free.

Is Big Blue Liriope invasive?

Liriope spicata is a low-growing perennial grass. It's often used as a groundcover or as an edging for walkways and garden beds, but it's aggressive and spreads fast. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't become invasive in your garden. Ornamental grasses are beautiful in the landscape.

Is Liriope an invasive plant?

Liriope species are included in the U.S. Forest Service publication “Invasive Plants of Southern Forests,” by James Miller, Erwin Chambliss, and Nancy Lowenstein (General Technical Report SRS-119). The Georgia Invasive Species Taskforce lists L. muscari as a Species of Concern, while the S.C.

Which Liriope Cannot spread?

Liriope muscari is the "clumping" kind that does not spread by runners and basically stays where you put it. It blooms purple, not white like spicata, but it shares all the good qualities of the spreading kind - incredible toughness and adaptability - without the invasive behavior.

What grows well with liriope?

Complement your Liriope with these varieties:

Geranium, Perennial. Low growing and colorful, Cranesbill Geranium makes a good companion for Liriope.
Blue Fescue. Mixing Blue Fescue and Liriope together on a sunny hillside is an attractive option.
Lamium.

Does all Liriope bloom?

Liriope will grow in full sun or partial shade. It does best in partial shade, especially in the southern US where the intense heat of summer can dry the plants out when exposed to full sun. ... The plants bloom in the late summer/early fall. The flowers appear on a stalk and can be white, blue or lavender.

Do bees like liriope?

Liriope (Liriope muscari), also called lily turf, blue lily turf and monkey grass, attracts bees with its spears of lavender flowers. ... Liriope blooms profusely in late summer and early fall. It provides essential nectar for bees after spring and early summer flowers die out.

Why are my Liriope turning yellow?

It's caused by a strain of the fungus (Phytopthora) that caused the great Irish potato famine of the mid-1800s and that still is a common threat to rhododendrons. What usually happens is that a leaf or two in a liriope cluster first turns yellow. ... Unfortunately, the fungus can remain in the soil to reinfect new liriope.