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Ornamental Grass

Liriope

14 years ago

I know this isn't really an ornamental grass but I'm not sure where else to ask.

I have both the green AND variegated kind. The green spreads like crazy and turns into a large mass. I cut it back every spring before the new growth emerges.

BUT, the variegated kind is different. It always stays in a nice clump and doesn't spread, at least for me anyway. I have cut it back before but it doesn't grow back like the green kind. If I cut it back in March, it doesn't start to look good until July or so.

So my question is, are you supposed to trim back the variegated liriope like you do the green kind?

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Comments (2)

donn_
14 years ago
Your fast spreading Liriope is probably L.spicata, while the variegated form is L. muscari. Trimming instructions are the same for each. Cut them back in early spring.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
14 years ago
What donn said :-) Variegated forms of any plant tend to be less robust and fast growing compared to the straight green varieties, so that could explain why your variegated liriope is slower to respond to a spring trimming.
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