Liriope muscari
'Big Blue'
Big Blue Lily Turf
Family |
Asparagaceae |
Genus |
Liriope |
Species |
muscari |
Cultivar |
'Big Blue' |
Category |
Perennials |
Synonyms |
Liriope platyphylla 'Big Blue', Ophiopogon graminifolius 'Big Blue'. |
USDA Hardiness Zone |
5 - 10 |
Canadian Hardiness Zone |
4a - 8a |
RHS Hardiness Zone |
H2 - H7 |
Temperature (°C) |
-29 - 4 |
Temperature (°F) |
-20 - 40 |
Height |
30 - 60 cm |
Spread |
30 - 60 cm |
Landscape |
Best as an edging plant or massed as a ground cover. |
Cultivation |
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, fertile soils in part shade. Tolerates wide range of light conditions and soils. Also tolerates heat, humidity and drought. Mow in early spring to remove old foliage. |
Growth |
Medium |
ID Characteristic |
This lilyturf cultivar is a tufted, grass-like perennial which typically grows 30-60 cm high and features a clump of strap-like, arching, glossy, dark green leaves 2.5 cm wide. Clumps slowly expand by short stolons, but do not spread aggressively like Liriope spicata. Erect, showy flower spikes with tiered whorls of dense, lavender flowers, somewhat resembling grape hyacinth (Muscari), rise just above the leaves in late summer. Flowers give way in autumn to blackish berries which often persist into winter. |
Pests |
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for slugs or snails. |
Habitat |
Horticultural origin. |