big blue liriope

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

If you’re looking for a hardy, versatile ground cover that brings year-round beauty to your garden, big blue liriope is an excellent choice. Known botanically as Liriope muscari ‘Big Blue’ and commonly called Border Grass, this evergreen perennial thrives in New Zealand gardens with minimal fuss. Its deep green, arching foliage and vibrant blue flower spikes make it a standout for borders, garden beds, and edging pathways. Whether you’re renovating an urban courtyard or designing a lush landscape, big blue liriope delivers dependable colour, texture, and resilience to almost any outdoor space.

Liriope muscari 'Big Blue'

Liriope muscari 'Big Blue', commonly known as Border Grass, grows as a tidy clump and produces strap-like, dark green leaves. Flower spikes rise above the foliage through summer and autumn, bearing masses of colourful, blue flowers as it grows to 30 cm tall and 40 cm wide. Liriope 'Big Blue' is an excellent choice for container growing, rock and cottage gardens, or border planting.

Liriope muscari 'Big Blue'

Suited to regions:
All regions
Plant type:
Grasses
Height:
30 cm
Spread:
40 cm
Flowering time:
Summer, Autumn
Tolerances:
Coastal, Hardy, Shade
Garden uses:
Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles:
Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

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What Makes Big Blue Liriope Special

Big blue liriope is favoured for its robust growth and elegant appearance. The plant forms neat mounds of strap-like foliage, reaching about 40-50cm in height. In late summer and autumn, striking blue to purple flower spikes rise above the leaves, followed by shiny black berries. Unlike many grasses, big blue liriope remains evergreen and tidy throughout the year, offering continuous visual interest.

This cultivar stands out from standard Liriope muscari for its larger size and prolific flowering. It's also more tolerant of shade and drought than many landscape plants, making it a go-to for spots where other ground covers struggle.

Growing and Using Big Blue Liriope

Big blue liriope is remarkably easy to grow and maintain. It adapts to full sun or partial shade, and performs well in various soil types, provided there’s adequate drainage. Once established, it copes well with dry periods and doesn’t demand frequent watering. This makes it a smart solution for low-maintenance gardens or eco-friendly landscaping designs.

Here are some popular ways to use big blue liriope in New Zealand gardens:

Border planting: Its neat form and vibrant colour provide definition along pathways or garden beds.
Ground cover: Plant in drifts to suppress weeds and create a lush, green carpet.
Underplanting trees: Works beautifully beneath deciduous trees, tolerating filtered light.
Mass planting or edging: Looks spectacular in multiples, especially when paired with contrasting foliage.

Looking for more liriope options? Consider Liriope 'Royal Purple' for a deeper flower hue, Liriope 'Monroe White' for elegant white blooms, or Liriope 'Blue Skies' for extended colour variety. Liriope 'Samantha' offers another unique twist for creative plantings.

Companion Plants and Styling Ideas

Big blue liriope pairs well with ornamental grasses and natives. Try designing with Lomandra Lime Divine or Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) for architectural foliage contrasts. Mix in Libertia mooreae, Carex lessoniana (Rautahi), or Juncus effusus (Spiral Rush) to create dynamic, textured beds that thrive in local conditions.

Why Choose Big Blue Liriope for Your Garden

Big blue liriope’s combination of toughness, beauty, and versatility makes it a favourite among New Zealand gardeners and landscapers. With minimal care, it creates lush, low-maintenance borders and reliable ground covers that endure for years. Explore our range to discover how big blue liriope and its relatives can add lasting value and visual appeal to your outdoor spaces.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.