Pink Pearl™ Liriope

Pink Pearl Liriope (Liriope muscari 'VS001') is a compact strappy groundcover with green and cream striped leaves and short spikes of soft pink flowers in late summer. It grows to just 25cm tall and wide, takes full sun or heavy shade, and keeps its foliage clean where other variegated liriopes mark and burn. Bred by Ozbreed, it is listed for every state and territory.

Why you'll love it

• Sun or deep shade. It performs in full sun and in dense shade under trees and eaves, a rare range for a plant with coloured foliage.
• Clean variegation. The green and cream striping stays tidy through the year, so the plant looks cared for even when it is not.
• Pink flowers against pale leaves. The flower spikes sit just above the foliage, and the pink reads well against the cream.
• Tough beyond its size. Frost, drought, humidity and coastal exposure are all on its list, and it suits all soil types.
• Safe for pets. Liriope is not toxic to cats or dogs, so it can edge the lawn where they run.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant 25cm apart, between 10 and 16 plants per square metre, and the clumps touch within two seasons to form a low, weed suppressing carpet. Wider spacing leaves gaps for a third year.

Borders and edging. A single row at four to eight plants per linear metre draws a pale, neat line along a path or bed, and it never needs cutting to stay within its 25cm.

Under trees and beside buildings. Dry shade is the hardest place to grow anything with colour. This takes it, so use it along the south side of the house and beneath established trees.

Coastal gardens. Listed for coastal situations, it copes with the salt wind that scorches softer variegated plants.

Growing Pink Pearl Liriope in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to heavy shade. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi arid gardens in every state and territory. The colour is brightest with some sun.

Soil. All soil types, sand through clay. Keep the crown level with the soil, not buried under mulch.

Water and feed. Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks, then only in extended dry spells, as it tolerates drought once rooted. Chunky mulch, and a slow release fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Snip out any discoloured leaves as you notice them. In colder climates the foliage marks over winter, so cut the whole clump to the ground each year in late winter; it looks best with that annual cut, but if you miss it the spring flush covers the old leaves by summer.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pink Pearl Liriope in 140mm pots in packs of 10, the right unit for a border or a small groundcover bed. Each pot holds a rooted clump already showing its stripe, and liriope travels well in the box with little more than a creased leaf to show for it. Variegated liriopes are slower than the plain green forms, so allow two seasons for a solid carpet rather than one.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full liriope range
• See the full Ozbreed range
• More groundcover plants
• Our guide to growing Liriope muscari

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 25cm apart for a groundcover, which is 16 plants per square metre and closes in about two seasons. For a single edging row, 25cm to 30cm gives a continuous line.

Will it grow in deep shade?

Yes. It takes heavy shade, including the dry shade under trees and along the shaded side of a house. The pink flowers are fewer there and the stripe a touch softer, but the plant stays healthy.

When does it flower?

Late summer into early autumn, with pink spikes held just above the leaves. Flowering is heaviest in sun, and shaded plants give fewer spikes.