The short answer

Quick Answer

Lily Turf thrives in full shade on chalky soils (pH 6-7.5), free-draining. Reaches 30 to 45cm tall and wide. plant 30cm apart for ground cover. Excellent chalk tolerance. Hardy to around -10°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Cut back old leaves in late winter before new growth starts

How: Shear the whole clump to 5cm in February. New leaves will quickly replace the old

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: East Asia including China, Japan and Vietnam

Native or exotic: Exotic

History: Liriope was introduced to British gardens in the 1800s from China and Japan, where it has been grown for centuries

Folklore: In traditional Chinese gardens, liriope was planted along paths for its neat year-round appearance

Fun fact: Despite the common name lily turf, liriope is not a grass and not a lily. It is in the asparagus family, and the flowers do look like tiny grape hyacinth flowers

Historical medicinal uses: Some related plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. Liriope itself is not widely used

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Bees and hoverflies visit the late flowers. Useful late nectar source [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 3 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Medium. Provides late nectar and evergreen shelter[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 9 out of 10 Flowers September to November. Evergreen foliage year round[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Plant with pachysandra, heucherella and ferns in shade under trees

Pest control: Generally pest free

Common diseases and issues: Leaf spot, anthracnose, root rot in wet soil. See RHS leaf spot advice

Invasive note: Liriope spicata can spread aggressively by runners. Liriope muscari is clump-forming and better for small gardens

CGM care note

We plant liriope at any time of year, 30cm apart for ground cover, in shade under trees where grass will not grow. The single annual job is to shear the whole clump to 5cm in February with hedge shears before the new purple flowers start, which refreshes the foliage for the year ahead.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Lily Turf

How Lily Turf fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Aquilegia (Columbine), shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Bay, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Beech, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Bergenia (Elephant Ears), shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Blueberry, shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap
  • Box (Common Box), shares similar growing conditions, soil, light and drainage needs overlap

Avoid planting beside

Similar alternatives

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Lily Turf.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Lily Turf are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Lily Turf (Liriope muscari and Liriope spicata). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Lily Turf. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Liriope muscari and Liriope spicata. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Asparagaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Seberg O, Petersen G, Davis JI, et al. (2012). Phylogeny of the Asparagales. Aliso, 30(2), 77-84.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Asparagaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, seasonal_highlight.

  4. 4
    Rollings R, Goulson D (2019). Quantifying the attractiveness of garden flowers to pollinators. Journal of Applied Entomology, 143(1-2), 68-78.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 for Lily Turf. The pollinator description above ("Bees and hoverflies visit the late flowers. Useful late nectar source") is consistent with this study's finding that low-ranked plants attract few pollinators relative to high-performing species. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Provides late nectar and evergreen shelter") reflects the plant's primarily ornamental role rather than ecological significance for pollinator support. Seasonal highlight: "Flowers September to November. Evergreen foliage year round".

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 and the Pollinators description ("Bees and hoverflies visit the late flowers. Useful late nectar source"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Lily Turf's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Provides late nectar and evergreen shelter") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Lily Turf. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Lily Turf's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Asparagaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Lily Turf. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Lily Turf. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Lily Turf. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Lily Turf. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Lily Turf. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Lily Turf. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Lily Turf. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Lily Turf performs well locally

Towns where Lily Turf is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

View all areas we cover