Liriope muscari ‘Moneymaker’ (lilyturf) is one of the hardest-working evergreen ground-cover plants you can grow, and a brilliant problem-solver for dry shade. It forms dense, grassy clumps of arching, strap-like dark green leaves, then – just as the garden begins to fade in autumn – sends up bold spikes of violet-purple flowers, followed by glossy black berries.
Tough, reliable and evergreen, liriope muscari excels where many plants struggle: under trees and shrubs, along shady paths, on banks, and as a weed-suppressing carpet. It also looks superb in pots and makes a neat, lush edging. Though often grouped with ornamental grasses, it’s actually a member of the asparagus family, with the bonus of those late-season flowers.
How and where to grow it
Grow lilyturf in partial to full shade in any reasonable, well-drained soil – it tolerates dry shade once established and will also cope with sun if the ground stays moist. It’s fully hardy and evergreen, needing almost no care; simply shear off tired old foliage in early spring before the new leaves emerge.
- Position: partial to full shade; superb for dry shade
- Soil: any well-drained soil
- Care: evergreen and trouble-free; tidy old leaves in spring
Each plant is nursery-grown and hand-selected, ready to bring evergreen structure and a welcome shot of autumn colour to the shadier corners of your garden.
