Plant of the Month

LIRIOPE
Liriope muscari

Liriope muscari forms an excellent foliage plant throughout the year but in October it is decorated with curious dense spikes of violet-blue flowers. Each tiny flower clings to the stem, appearing to remain tightly in bud, and looking like little clusters or pearls, hence the resemblance to, a grape-hyacinth. The thick tufts of narrow evergreen leaves form an impenetrable mound, ideal for separating other rambling plants and the flowers fade russet brown seed heads so the plant still has a presence in the winter. Although the liriope can be used as ground cover it looks best as an isolated clump at the front of the border where the shining violet flowers can be seen to best advantage.