Re: Liriope & deadheading
- To:
- Subject: Re: Liriope & deadheading
- From: M* T*
- Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 00:46:51 -0400
Barb,
IMO, the only reason to dead head Liriope is if you don't want it forming
berries and seeds and seeding around, which it will do if allowed. It's
not horrendous about covering the world in seedlings, but, left to its own
devices, you will find babies popping up here and there. It is, BTW,
quite easy from seed if you want controlled increase in your planting.
Gather the berries when they turn blackish purple; remove seeds from pulp;
plant in rows in garden or in a flat or pots and leave outside for winter
covered with screen against critters and stuff - or inside somewhere you
can remember to water. Should sprout like mustard and cress for you the
next spring. Takes two or three years for them to make any size and maybe
another before they will bloom for you.
Otherwise, like others who have posted, I whack mine back in early spring
(hopefully) - about nothing beats the tediousness of being tardy with this
chore and getting to sift the new growth out of the old that needs cutting,
snipping off old leaves a few at a time instead of being able to grab
handfuls and whack or mow it off....I know, having procrastinated enough
times and had to do this to a *lot* of Liriope or have ratty looking old
foliage mixed with the new. Of course, my local deer herd helps by pruning
a few of my plants for me over winter :-)
Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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> Date: Wednesday, October 07, 1998 8:13 PM
>
> Miller, Devon wrote:
> >
> > Be sure to cut it back before the new tips start, because they will
show
> > the damage if you cut them.
> >
> Devon & Val-
> I'll be sure to cut it back in the spring. For now, do I need to go out
> and individually cut back spent flowers or just leave them on 'til
> spring? TIA
> Barb (Southeastern PA, zone 6/7)
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