Leafy Prospects: Growing Liriope in Sydney Gardens

LEAFY PROSPECTS

QUESTION:

I saw this groundcoverin Tasmania and I amwondering what it is and will itgrow in my Sydney garden?

ANSWER:

It is Liriope muscari ‘Royal Purple’, and yes it will growin Sydney. I have several plants of it but it’s shy of producing the darkest purple flowers of all the liriopes. Its lush dark green strappy leaves make a great edging to a garden bed or massed groundcover planting. While it will grow in deep shade or full sun, its cold tolerance qualities lend me tothink it prefers cooler climates to allow it to flower well. Alternatively, our Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’, with cream and green compact grasses leaves produces tall spikes of pink flowers every year without fail. It is more reliable in temperate gardens.