AMETHETHYST - Liriope muscari
DESCRIPTION: Dark green compact foliage
HEIGHT & WIDTH: 40cm x 40cm
POSITION: Full sun, moderate to heavy shade
CARE: Low maintenance. Fertilise with slow release fertiliser annually
USES: Mass planting, rockeries, flowering gardens
SOIL TYPE: Suited to a wide variety of soil types
The beautiful long lasting deep purple flowers are a real highlight.
Early in the season the flowers sit a little above the foliage, later they sit high above the foliage. Amethyst has an excellent foliage form, producing semi-compact dark green clumps. There are other Liriope available that also have good deep purple flowers, but their foliage is very flat compared to Amethyst, and their flowers are shorter. Amethyst grows well all over Australia and New Zealand, including hot humid regions, and bitterly cold areas. In colder climates like Melbourne, Canberra or Christchurch, it is a good idea to trim the foliage back each year in mid to late winter, allowing the crisp new shoots to emerge without the clutter of older leaves. On larger projects this may not be possible, but don’t worry, by spring or summer the new clean foliage will dominate the old foliage, giving the plant a refreshed look.
