Liriope 'Royal Purple'

Liriope 'Royal Purple': Late Purple Spikes Under the Trees

'Royal Purple' handles road salt, black walnut, dry spells and nosy rabbits with the calm of a monarch who has seen worse. Deep purple spikes, then shiny black berries. LONG LIVE THE PURPLE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple'
• Common Name: Lily Turf, Lilyturf
• Height: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Flowers: Upright spikes of small, deep purple flowers, followed by shiny black berries
• Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall (August to September)
• Foliage: Narrow, arching, dark green, grass-like leaves; semi-evergreen in our winters
• Features: Rabbit resistant, tolerates salt and black walnut

Where to Plant: Plant it as an edging along shady paths, as a groundcover under trees and shrubs, or in a rock garden, where it fills in slowly without taking over. Its salt tolerance makes it useful near sidewalks, and in colder pockets it does best in a sheltered spot where snow collects.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Royal Purple' at the front of a moist, shady bed with silver brunnera, red heuchera and a giant hosta. Brunnera 'Jack Frost' opens baby-blue flowers at 30 to 38 cm in April and May over silver leaves. Heuchera FOREVER® Red adds bright red foliage at 15 to 20 cm. Athyrium 'Lady in Red' brings lacy fronds on red stems at 45 to 75 cm. Hosta Shadowland® Giant 'Gigantosaurus' rises behind with huge grey-green leaves at 76 to 81 cm.

Plant Care: Grow it in average to moist, well-drained soil. It manages clay or sand, but not standing water. Water through the first season. After that, it gets by on very little. Cut the old leaves back to about 7–8 cm (3 in) in early spring, before new growth starts, and rake out the clippings. Be careful not to cut into the crown. Divide in spring every few years if the clumps get crowded or you want more plants.

History: Liriope muscari grows wild in the shady, moist forests of China, Korea, Japan and Taiwan, and takes its genus name from Liriope, a nymph of Greek mythology who was the mother of Narcissus. The species name refers to Muscari, the grape hyacinth, whose flower spikes it closely resembles.

Final Thoughts: Line the driveway or edge a shady bed and let it hold court through all of it. KNEEL, PEASANTS.