how do you divide liriope

How to Divide Variegated Liriope

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How do you divide Liriope roots?

Once the plant has been removed, carefully cut through the root ball using a sharp, serrated knife or shovel for larger clumps. This process can then be repeated until the plant has been divided into the desired number. Ideally, the process of dividing liriope should be done in early spring before new growth has resumed.

Can you split Liriope?

Splitting liriope is an extremely easy and cost-effective way to increase the amount of plants in the garden, or to begin the process of establishing new flower beds. Dividing liriope plants is fairly straightforward. When splitting liriope, growers will first need to dig up the plant and remove the root ball from the garden.

When is the best time to divide Liriope?

Ideally, the process of dividing liriope should be done in early spring before new growth has resumed. Due to the hardy nature of this plant, however, it is possible to successfully divide this plant later in the season.

How do you transplant Liriope?

Transplanting Liriope. Digging across the entire planting area and amending it with compost is recommended. Once soil is loosened, the healthiest divisions can be planted in with their roots spread out over small mounds. Plants can be set 12 inches apart on center in offset rows for ground cover.

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Can liriope be divided in fall?

The best time to propagate liriope is in the very late fall or early spring. Dividing liriope is not necessary for the health or longevity of the plant but is often done to control the current plant's spread in an area or to add the plant to another part of the garden or landscape.

How do you separate and replant liriope?

How to Divide Variegated LiriopeChoose a new liriope planting site with slightly acidic well-drained soil. ... Dig up the liriope. ... Tease individual plants apart carefully, making sure each plant has a proportionate, ample amount of roots. ... Plant the separated liriope plants immediately.More items...

How do you break up liriope?

0:582:19How to Divide Liriope - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see what we've got how big the plant is you can use that shovel. And just cut right throughMoreYou can see what we've got how big the plant is you can use that shovel. And just cut right through there there's two clocks from the one. We can make virtually as many as we want to as long as we're

Should liriope be cut back in fall or spring?

Two ornamental plants in the landscape that are commonly sheared are liriope and ornamental grasses such as pampas grass. Shearing in late winter removes old growth and makes way for new shoots.

When can liriope be divided?

springIdeally, the process of dividing liriope should be done in early spring before new growth has resumed. Due to the hardy nature of this plant, however, it is possible to successfully divide this plant later in the season. After splitting liriope plants, find a location for the new lilyturf transplants.

Can you cut back liriope plants?

How and when to prune liriope. Before new foliage starts to appear, generally in late winter or early spring, the old foliage can start to look tired. At this time you can either selectively prune out the oldest leaves, or trim the plant down so only around 5cm remains above the ground.

Can liriope take full sun?

Liriope is remarkably tough. It will grow in deep shade or full sun, sand or clay. It can endure heat, drought and salt spray, but will not take “wet feet”; it requires moist, well-drained soil. Flowers are produced most freely in a sunny location.

How far apart should you plant liriope?

Variegated Liriope Spacing For a grassy ground cover, space plants 18 inches apart on-center. For an accent plant, space at least 24 inches apart.

What grows well with liriope?

It combines beautifully with evergreen shrubs such as boxwoods, and with perennials with contrasting leaf shapes, such as large-leaved hostas and hellebores. Variegated cultivars include 'Silvery Sunproof', 'John Burch' and 'Gold Band'.

What do you do with liriope in the winter?

0:332:58Winter Pruning - Liriope - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it has frozen you can go ahead and cut it back. So that it's all cleaned up looks good for theMoreAnd it has frozen you can go ahead and cut it back. So that it's all cleaned up looks good for the rest of the winter. And it's good to go when the new growth comes out in the spring.

Is liriope and monkey grass the same thing?

Species of Liriope are the plants most commonly referred to as "monkey grass," or sometimes "lily turf," and southern gardeners have either of two reactions to it: hate or love.

How do you stop liriope from spreading?

To control its spread, just sever the shoots with a shovel. The separated shoots most likely already have young roots growing from them. You can either replant these shoots to expand your planting or toss or compost them.

Can you transplant liriope?

Liriope grass transplanting works well so long as you include roots with the grass you picked, so it will grow pretty much wherever you plant it. The only thing to watch out for when transplanting monkey grass is that it can be quite invasive if put in the wrong place.

How far apart should you plant liriope?

Variegated Liriope Spacing For a grassy ground cover, space plants 18 inches apart on-center. For an accent plant, space at least 24 inches apart.

When can you transplant monkey grass?

The best time for transplanting monkey grass is the same as for most perennials – when the plant is dormant. What is this? Typically this would be in the beginning of the spring before new growth starts. It is easily moved, though, and can be transplanted right through mid summer.

Can liriope take full sun?

Liriope is remarkably tough. It will grow in deep shade or full sun, sand or clay. It can endure heat, drought and salt spray, but will not take “wet feet”; it requires moist, well-drained soil. Flowers are produced most freely in a sunny location.

How to Divide Liriope

Propagating Liriope can be pretty easily achieved by a process called division. In this article we look up the versatility of Liriope in the landscape as well as how and when is the best time to transplant liriope for successful growth.

Liriope Characteristics

Liriope is made up of a dark green narrow bladed leaf that resembles a lush grass, sometimes called Monkey Grass by the way. There is also a variegated variety.

Liriope as a Ground Cover

Liriope also makes a great ground cover for large areas and does well in many different types of poor soil conditions.

Liriope as a Border plant

Used as a border plant, Monkey Grass can quickly become too large for its purpose and will possibly need to be divided as often as yearly depending on personal preference or as a means to multiply the number of plants you have without spending a bunch of money.

When To Transplant Liriope

Transplanting liriope can be done almost any time of the year in zones 8 and above. Liriope is a very hardy plant once established. I would suggest transplanting monkey grass during cooler months if you’re in an area where it actually turns brown and dies back.

How To Divide Liriope

The first thing I always do is plan ahead. How much space do I need to cover? Am I making a border or ground cover? How far apart will they be? About 12 inches is the closest you’ll want them in my opinion. How much can I divide my present plants without making them look too small? This may also involve a little bed prep which is always the toughest job in gardening..

Liriope Care

Regardless if you are growing L. spicata or L. muscari, liriope is a low-maintenance plant. Both species are tough plants that can grow in sandy or clay soil and full sun or part shade. The only "must-have" is that it is a well-draining soil.

Types of Liriope

L. Muscari grows in clumps and is well-suited for edging; leaves are 3/8 and 1/2 inches wide with larger flowers. L. spicata has narrower leaves and smaller, lighter-hued flowers.

Pruning

These ornamental grass look-alikes spread via rhizomes, which helps them spread and makes them invasive plants in some regions. To keep the liriope looking nice and neat, mow or shear the foliage back to the ground during the late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Propagating Liriope

The best time to propagate liriope is in the very late fall or early spring. Dividing liriope is not necessary for the health or longevity of the plant but is often done to control the current plant's spread in an area or to add the plant to another part of the garden or landscape. Division is best attempted after the third growing season.

How to Grow Liriope From Seed

Growing liriope from seed is a multi-step process. Since growing from division is easier, the elaborate routine for seed sowing is a less favorable propagation method. The best time to plant seeds is about eight weeks before the last frost date. Here's how to start the process:

Potting and Repotting Liriope

Liriope is most often used as ground cover, but it can also be grown in pots. Grow the plant in moist, well-drained soil, such as quality general-purpose potting mix. The container should be large enough for the plant to grow for two to three years—at least 3 inches longer and deeper than the specimen.

Overwintering

This evergreen plant is hardy to USDA zone 4, which means, depending on where you live, it may stay green year-round. However, in winter, it will enter a dormant state and stops growing. Some choose to trim it down to right above the crown, or you can leave it intact. Either way, trim off dead, browned leaves.

Ornamental Features

Lilyturf forms a dense evergreen groundcover with a grass-like appearance. It blooms in July to August with lavender, purple, pink or white flower spikes. Although the flowers are individually small, they are very showy, since each plant has many spikes of blooms. Clusters of bluish black berry-like fruit follow the flowers.

Landscape Use

Liriope can be used as a groundcover under trees and shrubs and as a massed planting on slopes and banks. Liriope muscari and its cultivars can also be used as low edging plants along paved areas or in front of foundation plantings.

Species & Cultivars

Big Blue Lilyturf ( Liriope muscari ): This lilyturf grows in a clump form, making it well-suited for edging. The leaves are a little wider (3/8 to ½-inch wide) and the flowers somewhat bigger than those of creeping lilyturf.

Liriope Culture

Liriope is an excellent plant for novice gardeners as it can thrive almost anywhere it is planted. While its ideal planting site is in dappled shade and moderately moist soil, it adapts to grow well from full shade to full sun and in soil that is somewhat dry and nutrient poor.

Dividing Liriope

Liriope forms dense clumps, spreading outward from a slightly woody crown. Established plants can be more than 1 foot in diameter and the crown of a large plant can be halved then quartered with a clean handsaw. Divide into smaller pieces as needed -- a section consisting of just a few leaves and the attached roots is a viable transplant.

Timing it Right

Liriope can be divided every two to three years, with the ideal time of year being in early spring before the plant sends up new shoots. In climates with mild winters, liriope can be successfully divided any time from fall to early spring.

Transplanting Liriope

The transplanting area should be prepared before dividing the liriope plants. Digging across the entire planting area and amending it with compost is recommended. Once soil is loosened, the healthiest divisions can be planted in with their roots spread out over small mounds.