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Lilyturf Liriope muscari

Lilyturf Liriope muscari is one of New Zealand’s favourite perennial landscaping plants, prized for its lush grass-like foliage and delicate flower spikes. Known commonly as lilyturf, Liriope muscari thrives in a variety of conditions, making it an ideal choice for both beginner and seasoned gardeners. This versatile ground cover not only adds evergreen texture and colour to low-maintenance gardens, but also delivers charming purple blooms through late summer and early autumn. Whether you’re designing a shaded border, filling gaps between paving stones, or looking for erosion control, lilyturf Liriope muscari helps create beautiful, easy-care outdoor spaces.

Liriope muscari

5 from 3 customers

Liriope muscari, commonly known as Lilyturf or Monkeygrass, is an herbaceous perennial with flower spikes that rise above the foliage during summer and autumn, bearing masses of lavender-blue flowers that are long-lasting and blend wonderfully with the strap-like, dark green foliage. Liriope muscari is an excellent choice for cottage gardens, adding to a mixed planting, or for use in borders or around outdoor living areas. It is used extensively in landscaping due to its hardiness, versatility, and attractive appearance year-round.

Liriope muscari growing as a mass planting in a woodand garden.
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Grasses
  • Height:
    30 cm
  • Spread:
    45 cm
  • Flowering time:
    Summer, Autumn
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal, Hardy, Shade
  • Garden uses:
    Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
  • Garden styles:
    Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Liriope muscari 'Blue Skies' plant with blue flowers and green foliage in a garden.
Most Popular Liriope 'Blue Skies'

Liriope 'Blue Skies' is a blue-flowering Liriope that forms a tidy clump and features strap-like, dark green leaves. Flower spikes rise above the...

From$14.50
Liriope muscari 'Samantha' plants with dark green leaves and pink flowers.
Most Popular Liriope 'Samantha'

Liriope 'Samantha' is a pink-flowering Liriope that produces strap-like, dark green leaves. Short stems carrying masses of tiny, light pink flowers...

From$17.95
Liriope muscari 'Pee Dee Gold Ingot' plants with yellow foliage in a border garden.
Most Popular Liriope 'Pee Dee Gold Ingot'

Liriope 'Pee Dee Gold Ingot', commonly known as Purple Liriope or Lilyturf, grows as a clump and produces strap-like, golden-yellow leaves up to 20...

From$14.50
Liriope muscari 'Gold Banded' plants with colourful, variegated foliage and pink flowers.
Most Popular Liriope 'Gold Banded' (Variegated Liriope)

Liriope 'Gold Banded' produces green leaves edged with gold, and masses of lavender coloured flowers in summer. This herbaceous perennial grows as a...

From$14.50
Liriope spicata plants with pink-blue flowers in a garden.
Most Popular Liriope spicata (Creeping Lilyturf)

Liriope spicata, commonly known as Creeping Lily Turf, grows as a clump and produces arching, strap-like, dark green leaves. Short stems carrying...

From$17.95
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.
Most Popular Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$11.50
Lomandra Frosty Tops with lush blue foliage in a garden.
Most Popular Lomandra Frosty Tops

Lomandra Frosty Tops is a hardy, evergreen grass featuring elegant, blue-grey foliage and a soft, weeping form. Growing to around 50 cm tall and...

From$18.63
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Most Popular Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$19.95
Carex oshimensis 'Everillo' lime-green plants in a border garden.
Most Popular Carex oshimensis 'Everillo'

Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ is a standout ornamental sedge prized for its vivid lime yellow foliage that adds instant brightness to NZ gardens. This...

From$19.95
Lomandra 'Misty Green' plants with cascading green foliage growing a bank.
Most Popular Lomandra Misty Green

Lomandra Misty Green is an ornamental grass with delicate, dark green foliage and a tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 40 cm in height and width...

From$19.25
Liriope muscari

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Why Choose Lilyturf Liriope Muscari?

Liriope muscari is valued for its resilience and adaptability. It tolerates drought, survives in poor soils, and flourishes in both sun and shade—perfect for New Zealand’s fickle weather. Its arching leaves provide year-round interest, while the upright spikes of violet or lavender flowers offer seasonal colour from late summer into autumn. The chunky, grass-like habit means lilyturf Liriope muscari looks fantastic as edging along pathways and garden beds, or mass-planted for those tricky areas under trees where grass simply won’t grow.

Planting and Maintenance

Plant lilyturf Liriope muscari in well-drained soil, spacing plants about 30cm apart for dense coverage. It’s remarkably low-maintenance: simply tidy up old foliage in spring and mulch lightly to suppress weeds. Watering is only needed during prolonged dry spells. Lilyturf is not often troubled by pests or diseases, making it an excellent option for sustainable gardening.

Design Ideas with Lilyturf

Liriope muscari pairs well with other ornamental grasses and evergreen perennials. For a bold, textured ground cover, consider combining it with Liriope 'Royal Purple', which features rich, purple-hued flowers and foliage. If you prefer a softer look, Liriope 'Monroe White' offers crisp white blooms that contrast beautifully with the dark leaves of traditional lilyturf.

For large-scale plantings, Liriope 'Evergreen Giant' makes a dramatic statement with wider leaves and robust growth. For subtle colour variation, Liriope 'Blue Skies' introduces pale blue-purple flower spikes, while Liriope 'Samantha' stands out with its unique variegated foliage.

Stunning Companions for Lilyturf

Enhance your garden’s texture and colour palette by pairing lilyturf Liriope muscari with other shade-tolerant and moisture-loving species like Sisyrinchium 'Snow Bells', which produces dainty white flowers, or Lomandra Frosty Tops for a soft, architectural accent. For additional autumn hues, Libertia 'Taupo Blaze' brings copper-tipped foliage, while Miscanthus Gracillimus adds airy movement with feathery plumes. Around wet areas, Bolboschoenus fluviatilis (Kukuraho) is an excellent native companion.

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Lilyturf Liriope muscari and its many attractive varieties are ready to transform your New Zealand garden. Explore our range and discover the perfect blend of colour, texture, and low-maintenance beauty for your landscape.


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.

–The Plant Company

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