Lily turf (Liriope muscari 'Tidwell's Big Blue')
Liriope muscari 'Tidwell's Big Blue' offers dense, grassy foliage and dark purple blooms, ideal as low-maintenance lily turf ground cover.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ is a highly valued herbaceous perennial, commonly known as lily turf, prized for its exceptionally tough, grass-like appearance. This cultivar forms dense clumps of glossy, dark green, strap-like foliage that recurs beautifully toward the ground, providing excellent year-round texture in many climates. It is an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking reliable, low-maintenance coverage that thrives where turf grasses struggle.
The aesthetic appeal of this lily turf includes erect spikes of deep violet-purple flowers that emerge in late summer, adding a touch of color just as many other plants begin to fade. As a tuberous-rooted perennial, Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ expands slowly via short stolons, offering dependable ground cover without becoming overly aggressive or invasive. Its resilience makes it invaluable for mass plantings, borders, and functional areas needing dependable, neat green structure.
This plant offers significant practical benefits, particularly its adaptability to various light levels and its tolerance for heat, humidity, and drought once established. Whether used to soften edges or carpet shady slopes, Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ fulfills the need for robust, attractive, and easy-to-manage evergreen ground cover.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asparagaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1.5 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: August to September
- Bloom Description: Dark purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For best results, plant Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ during the spring or early autumn, allowing the root systems time to establish before facing extreme weather. While this lily turf tolerates average, well-drained soil, it appreciates moist, fertile conditions, especially when sited in part shade. Ensure planting sites offer sufficient drainage, as overly wet soils can predispose the plant to rot issues.
Watering should be maintained consistently at a medium level, particularly during dry spells, though established clumps are notably drought-tolerant. Fertilization is usually unnecessary, reflecting its low maintenance needs. The most important cultural step for this plant in colder regions (like St. Louis) is late winter or early spring maintenance: cutting the foliage down close to the ground. This prepares the clump for the emergence of fresh spring growth.
Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ demonstrates good versatility across various light conditions. While it manages full sun, especially if moisture is adequate, it performs very well in part shade. Be aware that in deep shade, the foliage may become slightly more elongated and the overall rate of spread will slow down. Gardeners in the coldest reaches of Zone 5 should consider placing plants in more protected microclimates for optimal winter survival.
Landscape Uses
Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ excels as a grassy ground cover, particularly effective in subtly shaded areas where traditional lawn grasses fail. Its uniform texture and relatively slow, clump-forming spread (unlike the more aggressive Liriope spicata) make it perfect for mass planting to suppress weeds and create defined zones. Use it liberally to soften transitions between hardscaping elements or along pathways where edging is required.
Consider placing this lily turf in small groups or drifts for visual accent in woodland settings or rock gardens, mimicking its native habitat preference for dappled light. It also performs admirably when massed as a border plant beneath shrubs or taller perennials, providing a consistent evergreen base layer. Because its leaf structure is so dense and arching, ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ is also a reliable choice for containers, offering structure that lasts well beyond a typical annual display.
While it has some structural benefits, exercise caution when considering it as a true grass substitute, as this plant does not tolerate heavy or frequent foot traffic very well. Its utility lies more in defining edges and covering space consistently rather than serving as an active play area.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy 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. The cultivar ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ is most noted for its attractive grass-like foliage and purple flowers, with leaves curving gracefully to the ground forming a dense mound.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Erosion
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ is generally robust and resists the majority of common garden pests and diseases. However, gardeners should remain observant for occasional outbreaks of slugs and snails, which may chew on the foliage, especially in damp, shaded conditions. More serious, though less common, issues include crown rot or leaf rot, which almost always indicate poor drainage or excessive moisture retention around the base of the plant. Prevention involves ensuring well-drained soil during planting and pruning back old foliage in early spring to improve air circulation around new growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Lily turf suitable for?
Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 10, offering broad adaptability across temperate regions.
How large does Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a height and spread between 0.75 and 1.5 feet, forming dense, manageable tufts.
What sun exposure does Lily turf need?
This plant tolerates a wide range, thriving in full sun to part shade conditions, though it prefers protection from the harshest afternoon light in hotter climates.
When does Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ bloom?
The dark purple flower spikes of this lily turf emerge reliably in the late season, generally blooming from August into September.
Conclusion
Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ stands out as an indispensable plant for structural evergreen edging and low-maintenance ground cover across many landscapes. Its hardiness, attractive texture, and late-summer color confirm why lily turf is consistently recommended by horticultural experts. Before purchasing, confirm that your site falls within USDA Zones 5-10 and plan for that necessary late-winter cleanup to ensure vibrant new growth.
Companion Planting
When integrating Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ into mixed borders, seek out partners that complement its fine texture and shade tolerance. Hostas perform excellently alongside lily turf, offering broad, contrasting leaf shapes in varying shades of green or blue. Astilbes provide airy, colorful plumes that rise above the dense foliage of the lily turf in early summer, fading just as the Liriope prepares to bloom. For year-round interest, use evergreen shrubs like dwarf hollies or Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) as a backdrop to enhance the deep green color of the Liriope.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Late Winter/Early Spring: This is the prime time for renovation. For large swathes of Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’, use a high-setting mower to trim the old, somewhat faded foliage down to about 1-2 inches above the ground. This action stimulates uniform new growth.
Late Spring/Early Summer: Minimal intervention required. Monitor moisture levels; water deeply if drought stress is apparent, especially if planted in full sun areas. Avoid excessive fertilization to maintain a tight growth habit.
Late Summer/Early Fall: Enjoy the deep purple flower spikes that characterize this cultivar. This is when Liriope muscari ‘Tidwell’s Big Blue’ provides its peak late-season interest before its evergreen foliage shines through winter.
Fall/Winter: In mild climates, the foliage will retain much of its color, acting as a crucial winter accent. In very cold zones (Zone 5), be mindful of deep snow load or placement that favors winter burn, though the dormant crowns are generally hardy.
