Re: Liriope & ophiopogon
- To:
- Subject: Re: Liriope & ophiopogon
- From: M* T*
- Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1998 00:05:28 -0500
Diana,
Liriope prefers good drainage and tolerates dry shade while Ophiopogon
wants continually moist soil and will grow in standing water, but not bloom
well. Both will grow in sun or shade. I've grown Liriope from seed (quite
easy)..takes three or four years or more for it to reach good sized
"clump" proportions. Has a massive root system for size of top, so you
want to make sure the pot size is such that it gives it a chance to grow
the roots it wants to. It puts on growth in spring only. The number of
"eyes" a clump has will determine how many leaves it gets - all
pre-determined the fall before. So, I wouldn't expect much of anything out
of them at this time of year. In non-frost conditions, they will remain
evergreen for you and just sit there looking green until new growth
commences in spring. But, I should imagine that the leaves are feeding the
plants and the root system is expanding, even in winter.
Have only had Ophiopogon for a season, so am no authority, but O.
planiscapus 'Ebony Night' does not seem to be a fast grower for me. Seems
much the same as Lirope in its habit.
Once Liriope (either L. spicata or L. muscari) hit their stride, they are
practically indestructible - put up with all sorts of adverse conditions
including munching by deer and return each spring. I cut them to the
ground in early spring before new growth if the deer haven't done it for
me. Both will seed around, too. In greenhouse conditions, if the old
growth still looks good, I'd just leave it. Generally, top growth looks
awful in spring around here - all brown at the ends and ragged; thus the
haircut.
Did a bit on Ophiopogon for my series on Ornamental Grasses for Shade a few
months ago. Has link to line drawing provided by Kay Lancaster showing the
actual difference between Liriope and Ophiopogon, if you're interested.
URL to it is: http://suite101.com/article.cfm/222/6610 Also did an
article on Liriope back in Sept. of '97 in case it is of any use to you:
URL to it is: http://suite101.com/article.cfm/shade_gardening/3183
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor: Gardening in Shade
current article: Late Color - Part 2
http://suite101.com/welcome.cfm/222
----------
> From: Diana L. Politika <diana@olympus.net>
> To: perennials@mallorn.com
> Subject: Liriope & ophiopogon
> Date: Tuesday, December 01, 1998 9:00 AM
>
> Lily Turf and Mondo Grass for the linguistically challanged among
> you....
> I have these two plants in the GH, going on a year now. The soil is
> acid-ish, moisture is constant and lighting is shaded with other plants
> in full sun as a trial. temperatures are natural, in that I'm not
> heating this GH.
> Waaaaa....they simply won't grow. And they won't die, either.
> Information about them is scarce, so I don't know if they simply don't
> like our cooler temps (my suspicion) or if I'm truely doing something
> wrong.
> I've heard that they grow wonderfully as ground covers in the east.
> ANY info would be appreciated.
> --
> The Greenhouse Nursery
> 81 S. Bagley Creek Road & Hwy 101
> Port Angeles, WA 98362
> (360) 417-2664
> Zone 8
>
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