Liriope Muscari 'Evergreen Giant'

Giant Lilyturf

Botanical Name: Liriope muscari 'Evergreen Giant'
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: East Asia
Plant Type: Strappy grass-like perennial

Overview

A tough, evergreen edging and groundcover plant with bold, arching, dark-green leaves. ‘Evergreen Giant’ forms dense clumps that look neat all year and thrive in full sun to shade once established. In late summer to autumn, upright purple flower spikes rise above the foliage, followed by glossy black berries for extra interest.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.45-0.6 m H x 0.45-0.9 m W
• Growth Rate: 20-30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Evergreen, dark-green, strappy leaves; forms tidy, weed-suppressing mounds
• Flowers: Purple flower spikes in late summer–autumn; decorative black berries follow
  
• Seasonal Interest: Year-round evergreen structure; summer–autumn blooms and berries add seasonal colour and texture
• Wildlife Value: Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Good for Pollinators
• Tolerance: Drought-Tolerant (once established), Heat-Tolerant, Frost Hardy, Coastal-Tolerant, Wind-Tolerant (shelter while young), Clay-Tolerant (free-draining clay/loam)
• Planting Density: Mass planting: 6–9 plants/m². Edges/drifts: 30–50 cm apart (≈ 2–3 plants per linear metre)
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (tolerates bright shade)
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay loam; avoid waterlogged sites
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Mulch in spring; shear/tidy tatty foliage in late winter before new growth; slow-release feed in early spring
• Lifespan: 15-25 years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral; tolerates mildly alkaline if drainage is good

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Edging along paths and driveways for a clean, evergreen line
• Mass plant under trees or in hot, dry strips as a low-care groundcover
• Feature clumps in pots or among rocks for texture and contrast

Why You Will Love It

‘Evergreen Giant’ is a set-and-forget, all-season problem solver for tough spots. It thrives from sun to shade, shrugs off heat and dry spells once established, and keeps beds looking finished with minimal care. The purple flower spikes and winter berries are a bonus on a plant chosen first for its evergreen structure and reliability.