when to plant liriope in virginia

The best time to plant lily turf is in October. Planting in October allows the roots to get well established in the soil during the cool, wet season. If October slips by before the plants are in the ground, you can plant in November or early December if the weather is mild.

Can I plant Liriope in the fall?

Liriope is propagated from divisions or nursery transplants. Plant it in spring to fall. Water the planting as often as needed to keep the soil lightly moist, especially during the first year after planting. Mulch the ground with 2 inches of wood chips to conserve moisture and keep weed growth down.

Can you plant Liriope in the winter?

Though evergreen, liriope in winter will naturally enter into a stage of dormancy in which growth of the plant foliage ceases. ... 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.

How do you plant Liriope?

Liriope Care

Both species are tough plants that can grow in sandy or clay soil, as well as in full sun or part shade. The only "must-have" for a liriope plant is well-drained soil. Plant each liriope about 1 foot apart, keeping in mind that L. spicata will spread, as it's a creeping plant.

Does Liriope need sun or 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. Flowers are produced most freely in a sunny location.

Should Liriope be cut back in the fall?

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.

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.

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.

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.

What can I use instead of Liriope?

A third wide leaved carex that makes a great substitute for liriope is plantain leaf sedge (Carex plantaginea,) also called seersucker sedge.

How do you maintain Liriope?

During the first few weeks after planting, check soil moisture often and adjust irrigation time if necessary to keep the soil moist, not wet. All I do with the Liriope growing is prune or mow plants to an inch or so above the ground in late winter before new growth begins to emerge from the ground.

Is liriope and monkey grass the same thing?

Species of Liriope are the plants most commonly referred to as "monkey grass," or sometimes "lily turf," and southern gardeners have either of two reactions to it: hate or love.

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.

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 stop Liriope from spreading?

To control its spread, just sever the shoots with a shovel. The separated shoots most likely already have young roots growing from them. You can either replant these shoots to expand your planting or toss or compost them.

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.

What causes brown tips on liriope?

The drought may have damaged your liriope, or you may have a disease called liriope anthracnose. ... Liriope anthracnose causes the tips and margins of leaves to turn brown. The best way to limit this disease is to keep your plants healthy and avoid overhead watering.

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).

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.

Is Liriope fast growing?

Liriope spreads quickly. It can grown as a border plant or as a ground cover. Plant about 12-18″ apart in well tilled soil.

Does Liriope die back 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.

Do birds eat Liriope berries?

* What it is: One of the toughest and most versatile perennial flowers you'll ever grow, liriope 'Big Blue' has grassy-looking foliage and purple flower spikes that last from late August into early fall. It then gets non-messy, black berries that birds eat in fall. The foliage stays green most winters.