Liriope

Liriope muscari ranges from 12 to 24 inches in height. When not called monkey grass, it's also known as lily turf or simply liriope. 'Big Blue' is the most popular and available selection. The leaves are 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide. Liriope is usually dark green in color, but some selections, such as 'Silvery Sunproof' and 'John Burch,' have striped white or yellow leaves. Those selections tend to do better in sunny locations.

'Evergreen Giant' grows tall, usually 2 to 3 feet in height. It makes a nice foundation planting against the house under low windows. It isn't as cold tolerant as other selections and is best suited for the Coastal and Tropical South.

Liriope spicata, sometimes called creeping liriope, has soft narrow foliage. Because its foliage is not stiff, it forms a loose mound. It isn't recommended as an edging plant because it spreads aggressively and will quickly grow into turf areas and flowerbeds. It works well in large beds as a ground cover, where weeds have a hard time competing with it.

Liriope thrives in a moist, fertile, well-drained soil and will take sun or shade. Roots, known as stolons, move underground, allowing the plants to spread. More popular for its foliage, liriope does have attractive summer flowers. 'Majestic' has the showiest, producing spikes of purple that fan out at the top of plants. Liriope blooms are usually violet in color, but 'Monroe's White' has cream-colored flowers.