PlantFiles: Variegated Lily Turf, Lilyturf, Monkey Grass
Liriope muscari 'Variegata'

I bought this plant about 5 years ago as a houseplant for my husband, and it has amazingly survived! It hardly ever gets watered, and barely sees the light of day. It has never flowered, but is impervious to spider mites. I am going to try it in pots out by the pond this year, maybe I can coax some blooms out of it.

I've had great luck with these hardy plants. They're are practically maintenance free. I cut last year's growth down to the ground in early spring before the new growth starts.

I like to combine this variety with wine or burgundy plants. My latest combination is by our front door. We planted a Nandina domestica 'Plum Passion' as a specimen plant and the variegated liriope are used as ground cover underneath.

I planted four of these and only two came up this year, but I'm not sure if it was because my soil is heavy clay and perhaps I didn't put in enough mulch. I rated this positive anyway, because they are such lovely plants and I'm going to keep trying because they're worth it!

Also, I tried to collect the seeds, took off their outer covering and saved them, but when I planted them this year, none came up. Any suggestions?

The only comment I can add to all the positive comments that have already been posted is that I noticed this year that my variegated lirope is blooming white. Has anyone else had this happen?

I enjoy having a couple of these plants, they seem to over-winter well (Zone6b) and bloom nicely. I originally saw them in Florida and a year later found potted plants at a nursery locally, now I have them.

I enjoy having unusual plants and those that shouldn't grow here. Oh yes, some Gaura's ( both pink and white came up this year and are blooming).

Grows in solid clay. Grows under a maple tree. Grows in a bucket of water! Drought tolerant and non-invasive. A wonderful border plant.

Love this plant, and another combination is with purple wood sorrel (oxalis), a deep purple leaved shamrock looking plant with little pink flowers. The two plants grow to about the same height, and the contrast is striking. I came upon this combination by accident as I planted two large clumps of variegated liriope on either side of the entrance of a path into a dark oak woods behind our house in an Atlanta suburb a few years ago (zone 7b)--even at night the white in the liriope leaves told you where the path entrance was--and the oxalis came up as volunteers, probably from the nursery where I purchased the variaged liriope. They both survived snow and 6 F degree weather.

This is a great plant. We used it to accent the edge of our sidewalk 10 years ago. One plant every 3 feet or so. The plants have stayed put and other than ordinary weeding I do nothing for it. (Except to trim it in the early spring) I planted crocus in between the plants and when the grass is at its worse, the crocus steal the show.

This is a wonderful plant. There's not much more to add to the positive comments except to say that it's not invasive, even in loose soil. In July or August, the plants develop spikes bearing dark purple or violet flowers.

This is one of the easiest plants I know of to grow. I put it in the yard & forget it. In my yard in Jacksonville, Florida it flourishes beautifully with no trimming, fertilizing or watering other than natural rainfall. It has weathered the harshest winter weather we've ever had with no apparent residuals. I have a few oak trees in my yard so that may contribute to the success of growing this plant in inclement weather.

This makes an excellent border plant, very striking and carefree. Lives for ages and gets more beautiful with age.
Just remember to cut back in spring before new growth emerges.

Hard to capture in a photo, this plant can almost glow, especially when placed in front of plants with darker foliage.

We found clumps of variegated liriope interspersed among the liriope lining one backyard bed, so we pulled it out and used it to line a smaller bed (it's much more effective when massed.) It's slower to spread than the "plain green" kind, but worth the effort and patience to grow.

Like other Liriope, the foliage can look tatty after a cold winter, so trim back before the new shoots appear.

Does well in both the sun and shade. Completely carefree. It doesn't seem to mind heat or cold, or being dry or wet. We found a clump of liriope under a huge forsythia. It had been totally neglected for years. It was divided into sixteen separate plants and is thriving in every location in the yard. The varigated leaves bleach out some in sunny spots.

I like it by the pond. I'm not sure if it would be happy in a bog or in the pond though. I have seen them used as a border plant. I really like the variegated leaves.