Variegated liriope
Variegated liriope sending out a few shoots of flower spikes in late summer.
* Common name: Variegated lilyturf
* Botanical name: Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’
* What it is: A grassy looking perennial with upright green leaf blades edged in greenish-gold. Gets purple flower spikes from late summer into early fall. Foliage stays green most of winter. Spreads slowly in a neat clump.
* Size: 1 foot tall, spreads 2 to 3 feet in time.
* Where to use: Very versatile. Best as an edging plant along walkways or as a low-maintenance front-of-bed plant along curving shrub beds. Tough enough to use as a groundcover in dry shade under trees. Best in shade or part shade. Variegated form of liriope can wash out in full sun and is a little less sun-tolerant than green-leafed kind. Can do dry or wet soil.
* Care: A little balanced, granular fertilizer is optional each spring. Most important: cut last year’s foliage to a stub each March. Bunnies occasionally nibble the leaves, but plants usually recover. Divide in spring if clumps expand beyond assigned space.
* Great partner: Mass in front of a patch of green hosta in shade. In a formal setting, plant alongside a line of boxwoods.