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.
This form of liriope aptly has the common name “variegated lilyturf.”
Variegated liriope is less invasive than the normal variety. Keep reading to find out how to grow and care for it.
This interesting perennial plant has vibrant yellow stripes along the arching dark green foliage. I love the way it adds color to my perennial garden beds.
The plant is a member of the Asparagaceae family.
Growing Liriope Muscari Variegata
Growth Habit
Variegated lilyturf grows as a clump forming ground cover, It has tuberous roots and spreads easily to cover the base of your garden.
I like to alternate the clumps with the plain green variety of monkey grass as a border around my garden beds.
One of the nice things about the plant is that it is evergreen and will add interest in your garden all year long.
Size
Liriope muscari variegata is a slower growing variety of the lily turf plant. Each clump grows to about 1 1/2 feet tall and about 2 feet wide when mature.
Since it does not spread as quickly as the plain green variety, it is easier to maintain in a garden.
Flowers
The plant blooms in late summer and has pretty purple flowers on short stalks that sit above the plant. The flowers have a similarity to muscari, commonly known as the grape hyacinth bulb
After flowering, variegated lilyturf produces clusters of blackish berries that persist in the autumn and early winter months.
Leaves
The leaves of variegated lily turf have an aching habit with a medium green color.
The leaves which are variegated with creamy yellow margins that are very pretty and add lots of interest and a pop of color in the garden.
Sunlight and Uses
This perennial is remarkably tolerant. it will grow in full sun to part shade. Full sun in the hottest zones will result in the leaves having a bit less vibrant color.
Since the plant spreads from the bulbous tubers, it is often used as a ground cover. Another great use of the variegated lilyturf is to plant it closely along the edge of a garden bed.
It makes a very pretty garden border that grows tightly together over time and is helpful at keeping weeds out of the border.
The photo above was taken in NYC Wagner Park, in Battery Park City, NY and shows this technique beautifully.
Soil and Cold Hardiness
Liriope muscari variegata will grow in most soil types, but prefers well draining soil. I add a bit of compost around the plant in the spring and find that I don’t need to add any other fertilizer.
The plant is also deer and rabbit resistant. Variegated lilyturf is a tough plant that is cold hardy in zones 5-10.
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Pruning tips for Variegated Lilyturf
The plant needs little maintenance but can get a bit shabby over the growing season. I like to use sharp scissors and give my plants a “haircut” before the active growing season each year, in early spring.
New growth with sprout all over the plant and this pruning will remove the tattered leaves.
If you don’t want to use variegated lilyturf as a ground cover, be sure to remove the small plants that will pop up from the tuberous roots near the mother plant.
If you grow liiriope muscari variegata as a ground cover, just mow over it in early spring to give the plant a new lease of life and to tidy up the foliage.
Variegated Lilyturf is a great choice for problem areas of a garden, such as under the shade of a tree where not much else will grow. The creawy striped grass like foliage and pretty purple flowers add interest year round.
The plant is tougher than most and is a great choice for beginning gardeners. Follow these few tips and you’ll be able to enjoy this pretty perennial in your garden.
12 responses to “Liriope Muscari Variegata – Growing Variegated Lilyturf”
I live in Zone 5 a/b boarder.
Will Liriope Muscari Variegata survive here well enough to cover a steep slope? I’d like to keep it contained there and not spread onto the upper leveled ground where I have and mow regular grass. Will the regular mowing keep it from spreading?
Thank you for your time.
Vern Kelly SR.
Liriope will grow in almost all the hardiness zones. Keeping it under control is another story. It grows from underground runners and will easily take over an area and surrounding areas.
While mowing will control it somewhat, the underground runners will still appear in your grass. You’ll most likely end up with patches of mowed liriope instead of grass as it spreads.
Will liriope spread and fill in as a ground cover if planted 10-12” apart?
Hi Jay. Yes it will. I planted a border and spaced the plants about this distance and it was not long before they were a mass of plants. The variegated liriope is not as fast growing as the green type.
I’ve had both types of Liriope. The sold green pops up every where. However the varigated kind grows in a clump and spreads out within the clump. I have never seen it come up anywhere else. Have had them for years.
I live in zone 4 and would like to plant Liriope on a south facing slope.
Do you think it will do well there?
This form of liriope is cold tolerant in zones 5-10. 4 is possibly too cold.
Liriope is such a great hardy plant and is perfect as a ground cover, or lining a yard! One of my favorite plants.
Do you know if the plant or the berries poisonous to squirrels?
The ASPCA lists the plant as non toxic to many animals but doesn’t mention squirrels specifically.
I have a bed of Liriope – used as a ground cover. However, between the plants I have weeds that I have to remove all summer. Can I use Preen weed control around the liriope plants to help? I usually put muchroom compost around the plants but still have to deal with the weeds
I have not tried preen to kill weeds around liriope, so I don’t know how it will work. My understanding from other resources is that some grass-specific herbicides will not harm liriope, even if the chemicals are sprayed directly on it. But as I say, I have not tried it, so I would proceed with caution.