Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Border Grass, Lilyturf

Brand:  Monrovia

Description:

A versatile evergreen that features a tight clump of dense, narrow green leaves that are the perfect backdrop to the purple flower spikes that rise in late summer; best massed as a groundcover or in containers; very hardy

Ornamental Features

Purple Explosion™ Lily Turf features dainty spikes of purple flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to early fall. Its attractive grassy leaves emerge light green in spring, turning emerald green in color the rest of the year. It features an abundance of magnificent black berries in early fall.

Landscape Attributes

Purple Explosion™ Lily Turf is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spreading

Purple Explosion™ Lily Turf is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Purple Explosion™ Lily Turf will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.