Gardening Questions Liriope muscari

AndrewR

Liriope muscari

Asked by Andrewr on 15 Jan, 2008

This question is on Liriope muscari

This is a question I ask frequently and get many different replies but I'll ask it again on here and see what reaction it gets.

How do you get liriope muscari to flower? I've been growing this plant for several years now with clumps in various parts of the garden, trying to find conditions it likes. I know it prefers shade so I have given it part shade, full shade, moist shade and dry shade but all to no avail. The only year it did deign to bloom, I had threatened it in the spring - "if you don't flower this year, you're coming out" - and it worked!

Short of making such threats again, does anyone know the secret for getting it to flower on a more regular basis?

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Replies

majeekahead

Majeekahead

15 Jan, 2008

 

To be honest i really don't know the secret, but i did have one about 10 years ago where i used to live, and it flowered every year the whole time i was there (approx 4 years) and i did nothing to it at all. as i remeber the conditions were as follows: heavy clay soil, quite wet and semi/full shade in the winter, dry with much more sun but still some shade in the summer, and i never moved or divided it. i used a thick mulch every year as i do now in spring and autumn, but i very rarely dig deep once i have planted a bed out, i dig over properly when i am creating a new bed, or re-organising it. then i just ruff up the soil every so often and mulch and let nature take its course - it was'nt a particually good plant when i bought it, i think i got it from a bootsale with no lable or anything - i just liked it and then looked it up to get the name. so maybe you have tried too hard with it, some things are best left alone arnt they, what type of soil do you have? because when i say thick heavy clay i mean - the bigest reason i did'nt do much digging lol! or pherhaps it likes the variation in wet/dry shade/sun maybe that is the key? the only other thing i can think of is that it was a pretty sheltered spot, close to the house. hope my long winded reply is of some use to you.

maple

Maple

16 Jan, 2008

 

As far as I know Andrew this is a middle of the road plant in terms of water and light -not too wet/dry, not too shady/sunny. Prefers an acid soil but will tolerate alkaline.
The only thought I had was soil nutrients. Maybe you are giving them too much nitrogen in your feed/soil. If I remember rightly this inhibits flower growth and promotes foliage. Stands by to be corrected :o )
Other than that, no idea!! Good luck

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

16 Jan, 2008

 

You have definitely metamorphasised (did I spell that right?) into HRH the Prince of Wales, Andrew, we all know he talks to his plants, don't we. I should try everything suggested and KEEP talking, they'll appreciate the attention! lol. I already told you some time ago, I don't do anything to mine, Nature does it. Sorry I can't help more, I know it's annoying when a plant refuses to flower.

AndreaRichter

Andrearichter

18 Jan, 2008

 

this plant prefers a moist soil but will tolerate drought. When the leaves turn brown trim them off. They prefer an acidic soil and when the clumps get too dense, divide them. They prefer shade, partial shade. Stick with it Andrew, I'm sure they will pay you back one day.

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Related photos

  • Liriope muscari (Liriope muscari)
    Spritzhenry