Description
Liriope – Lilyturf –
There are about 5 species of clump forming, rhizomatous and tuberous, evergreen and semi evergreen perennials in this genus. They occur in usually acidic woodland habitats in China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan. They have arching, linear, grass like, radical leaves, forming dense clumps or mats. Small, ovoid to spherical flowers which range in color from white through pale pink, open only slighly, are cluster in short, dense spikes or racemes, and are followed by black berries. Grow in a border or as a groundcover.
Grow in light, moderately fertile, preferably acidic, moist but well drained soil in sun to partial or full shade, shelter from cold, drying winds. Divide in spring.
Prone to anthracnose, leaf spot, root rot, and slugs.
L. spicata – Ophiopogon spicatus – This rhizomatous, semi evergreen perennial from China, Vietnam and Japan grows 10″ tall and 18″ wide. It forms a dense mat of grassy, dark green leaves, 8-16″ long, with tiny teeth. In late summer on violet-brown stems it carries racemes of bell shaped, pale violet to white flowers, to 3/8″ across.
Zones 6-10
