Stripey White Lilyturf

Stripey White Lilyturf (Liriope muscari 'Stripey White') is the border plant to use when plain green edging is not lifting the bed. Clumps of arching strap leaves edged in clean white reach about 35cm tall and 45cm wide, with spikes of purple flowers standing above the foliage in late summer. It is evergreen, pet friendly, and it holds up in almost every climate in the country.

Why you'll love it

• White variegation that brightens shade. The crisp leaf edge reads from a distance and lifts dark corners where green on green disappears.
• It clumps rather than runs. This is a clumping liriope, so it stays where you plant it instead of invading lawn and neighbouring beds.
• Tough in four climate zones. Tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens all suit it, and it is frost hardy.
• Pet friendly. Not toxic to cats or dogs, so it is a safe choice for a front garden or a courtyard the dog uses.
• Poor soil is no obstacle. It tolerates thin, dry ground under established trees where most border plants give up.

Where it works best

Borders and edging. Plant 30cm apart for a dense continuous edge. At that spacing a pack of ten covers about 3m of path or garden edge and closes over within a season.

Groundcover and mass planting. Use it at the same 30cm spacing to carpet the ground beneath trees and tall shrubs, where dry shade and root competition rule out most alternatives.

Pots and containers. Three plants in a 400mm pot give a full skirt of variegated foliage, useful as a low underplanting around a potted tree.

Growing Stripey White Lilyturf in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade to full sun. Variegation stays cleanest with protection from harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the white margins in hot inland gardens. It is frost hardy and equally at home in humid subtropical conditions.

Soil. Almost any soil that drains, including poor and compacted ground. Compost through the bed improves the rate of spread, and 50mm of mulch keeps the roots cool.

Water and feed. Weekly through the first summer while the clumps knit together, then it is genuinely drought tolerant. A light feed of controlled release fertiliser in early spring is all it needs.

Grooming. Shear the whole planting back to about 100mm in late winter, before new growth starts, to remove tired leaves and reset the edge. Lift and divide congested clumps every three or four years.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 125mm and 140mm pots in packs of ten, and 200mm pots in packs of six. The smaller pots are the value option for a long edge or a mass planting, while the 200mm plants are fuller and give a finished look sooner.

Strap leaved plants travel well, though a few creased or bent leaves after transit are normal and will be replaced by new growth. Expect the clumps to meet within one warm season. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, with a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Growing and using liriope muscari in the landscape
• How to choose the right edging plants
• Browse grasses and strappy leaf plants
• More plants that are safe around pets

Common questions

How many plants do I need per metre?

Three to four at 30cm spacing. A pack of ten covers roughly 3m of edging, and closer planting only shades the clumps into thinner growth.

Will it spread into the lawn?

No. This is a clumping liriope rather than a running one, so it widens slowly from the crown and stays inside its planted line.

Is it safe if my dog chews it?

Yes. Liriope is not toxic to cats or dogs, which makes it one of the safer options for edging a lawn or a courtyard a pet uses daily.

When should I cut it back?

Late winter, just before the new leaves push. Shear the clumps to about 100mm and the fresh growth hides the cut within a few weeks.