Lily Turf (Liriope Muscari ‘Okina’)

Features and Characteristics

Liriope muscari, commonly called lilyturf or blue lily turf, is a tufted, tuberous-rooted, grass-like perennial which typically grows 12-18″ tall and features clumps of strap-like, arching, glossy, dark green leaves (to 1″ wide). Clumps slowly expand by short stolons, but do not spread aggressively like Liriope spicata. Erect, showy flower spikes with tiered whorls of dense, violet-purple flowers rise above the leaves in late summer. Flowers give way to blackish berries which often persist into winter.

Genus name honors a Greek woodland nymph, Liriope, the mother of Narcissus.

Specific epithet means with flowers resemble grape hyacinth (Muscari).

Common name of lily turf acknowledges the plant’s turf-like growing habit. It is not a grass and was previously place in the lily family but is now placed in the asparagus family. Another common name is border grass.

‘Okina’ is noted for its unusual foliage that emerge an unusual but attractive white in spring. Leaves acquire green speckles as the growing season progresses, eventually becoming totally green by autumn.