Liriope (Liriope) is a herbaceous plant that is distinguished by grace and decorativeness. Perennial is still little known in our area, but every year the number of cultivated plantings is increasing. Long clumps, like grass arrows, and lush colorful inflorescences are the main advantages of the plant. Liriope care consists in observing a set of simple and sequential measures.
Description of the plant
According to the botanical classification, Liriope belongs to the Liliaceae family. The habitat of wild species is concentrated in China, the Japanese and Philippine Islands and other eastern countries. The plant has a moderately branched vertical rhizome, consisting of many small roots. There are small bumps on their surface.
Shoots grow no more than 70 cm long. The crown is formed from dense, dense foliage. The leaf blades are hard to the touch, the ends are pointed. The color is solid green. Breeders have also bred variegated varieties. The width of one leaf is about 1.5 cm, and the length does not exceed 35 cm.
The culture blooms at the end of August. Paniculate or spicate inflorescence sits on a straight long peduncle. Tubular buds contain a ball-shaped seal at the ends. Blooming inflorescences are formed from 6 oval-shaped petals. The petals are colored white, purple, cyan or magenta. In the center of the flower are bright yellow stamens. During the flowering period, the bushes smell pleasantly throughout the garden.
The fruit appears at the site of the ovary and looks like a seed capsule, where round achenes are hidden, covered with a rough brown skin. The seed diameter is approximately 7 mm.
Types and varieties of liriope with a photo
Only certain types of perennials are suitable for cultural breeding. Scientists managed to get interesting varietal hybrids of Liriope, which differ in a number of characteristics. Thanks to this floral variety, you can organize a unique composition of plants on the site.
Liriope muscari
The underground part of the bushes is a vertical rhizome covered with thick nodules and tough leaves. Occasionally foliage has variegated yellow stripes. Curtains reach a length of about 70 cm. Inflorescences are dense, white or purple in color. The plant begins to bloom in September. This species laid the foundation for the cultivation of other equally exquisite varieties: fine-flowered liriope, variegated liriope, Big Blue, Christmas Tree, Evergreen Giant, Gold banded, Majestic, Monroe White and Royal Purple. Each of the varieties is characterized by a unique color, structure and preferences for growing conditions.
Liriope spicata
The most frost-resistant species among the other names for liriope. The root part of the fibrous type is located near the soil surface. She is responsible for feeding lush long clumps. A flowering perennial grows up to 40 cm in length. The foliage is lanceolate and tough.Peduncles are slightly shortened compared to other varieties. Panicle inflorescences sit tightly. The color of flowers is either silver, or purple, or bright blue. Differences in color variety depend on the variety.
Liriope platyphylla
Low-growing clumps are overgrown with wide and long leaf plates. Bright greens set off inflorescences. Arrows of peduncles are short and densely covered with rich blue buds.
Growing lyriope
Liriope can be grown by sowing or by dividing. Seed growing is considered more difficult and time-consuming. The seed collected in the spring must be soaked in water and only then planted in the ground. Shallow grooves are made on the dug up plot of land. Achenes are immersed in them, keeping a distance of 5 to 10 cm. The sprouted seedlings are thinned out to allow the most powerful plants to strengthen. The interval is 30 to 40 cm.
With the arrival of spring, adult bushes are divided into divisions. Typically, the curtain painlessly survives such an operation. The whole bush is removed from the soil and the rhizome is cut in parts. On the shoots of one delenka, at least 10 leaves should be preserved. The seedlings are immersed in the dug holes at a distance of 40 cm. While the Liriope bushes are rooting, a small shade is created above them and periodically watering is organized to get slender and beautiful clumps.
Liriope care
Liriope is unpretentious to conditions and requires minimal maintenance. As they grow older, the bushes grow violently and cover the soil. It is better to place a perennial far from the sun. Due to the bright light, variegated varieties lose their bright color. A well-lit area, shaded at noon, is considered an auspicious place.
The bushes are regularly watered, especially during the sweltering summer heat. If the weather is cool, less moisture should be applied. Drought is more easily tolerated by the plant than flooding of the root zone. It is better to select a neutral or slightly acidic soil that contains the required amount of nutrients and has drainage properties. Planting holes are filled with sand and humus from the leaves. For aeration purposes, it is important to constantly loosen the site and get rid of weeds.
The growing season takes a lot of energy from the plant, so the plantings are fed with mineral and organic fertilizers. To make flower stalks appear faster, nitrogen complex fertilizers are applied. Flowering bushes need elements such as phosphorus and potassium.
Moisture indicators do not play a special role for the formation of clumps. Dry air will not harm, but they will respond gratefully to the spraying. Indoor lyriopes are sprayed every week, dusting the leaves. Dried buds are cut off in time, giving way to fresh peduncles.
After a few years, the crown of the bushes will require renewal, since the thickets will look dry and unattractive by this time. In order for the plants to begin blooming again profusely, they are dug up and divided into clumps. The plots are placed in a fertile substrate.
Liriope overwinters in the open field, but only in those regions where the air temperature in winter is at least -15 ° C. Just in case, in order to protect from the cold, the curtains are covered with fallen leaves and spruce branches. Under the snow, the roots of the plant will feel safe.
Diseases and pests of lyriopa
The list of diseases affecting perennials should include root rot, which occurs as a result of a failure in the irrigation regime. An important rule is that water should not stagnate near the roots.
Luscious, dense greens attract aphids, spider mites and slugs. In the fight against them, insecticidal substances or ordinary ash are used.
Liriope in landscape design
Liriope is another discovery for landscape design. Bushes are planted next to paths, trees or on the border of a flower garden.Low-growing plantings with delicate curtains are suitable for creating group compositions or can perfectly decorate garden pots. Liriope will be a great company for other flowering plants in rock gardens.
