Closely related to Ophiopogon, these hardy perennial plants come into bloom in late summer and go on into November, making them always a welcome addition in the garden. And both Liriope muscari and its cultivars have the added bonus of producing sizeable clumps of deep green, evergreen, glossy, strap-like foliage – making them excellent for ground cover. The common name for these plants is lilyturf, derived from the fact that the clump-forming varieties appear grass-like when not if flower. They are members of the lily-of-the-valley family (a subdivision of the wider Liliaceae plant family). Mostly coming originally from China, Japan and Vietnam, where they inhabit woodland edges and scrub, just a select few Liriope species are commonly grown in British gardens.

Liriopes make excellent ground cover. Most are late-flowerers, therefore adding a useful touch of colour to the autumn border. Small bell-shaped flowers (in varying shades of blue and purple-blue, along with pure white, depending on cultivar) are held upright in short spikes, among or above the leaf tips. These flowers are followed by purple-black berries. Contemporary designers are increasingly appreciating liriopes as foliage plants.

All liriopes have fibrous roots with scattered water-retaining tubers supporting narrow grass-like foliage. These tubers give the plants a high drought tolerance. Plants vary in habit from tightly clumping to widely colony-forming. Liriopes are best in part shade, but tolerate a position in full sun; sunshine is required for the later flowering species. Most soils are suitable as long as they are fertile and well-drained.