Big Blue Lilyturf
Violet-blooming evergreen groundcover that handles sun, shade, and drought
About Big Blue Lilyturf
Big Blue Lilyturf is an evergreen perennial groundcover whose violet-purple spikes appear reliably in mid-summer. Its grass-like clumps stay tidy and contained, making it ideal for borders, edging, and planting beneath trees. Gardeners appreciate its resilience and low-maintenance nature across a range of conditions.
This guide covers everything you need to grow Big Blue Lilyturf successfully. Learn how to plant and space clumps, water and fertilize through the seasons, and manage any problems that arise. We also help you find healthy plants and select cultivars suited to your garden's conditions.
Buy Big Blue Lilyturf
Nursery-grown plants shipped in their container, with our planting and care guides to go with them.
From $91.87
Sizes: 1 GALLON
Shop Big Blue LilyturfQuick facts
- USDA zones
- 5-10, evergreen year-round in zones 7-10, more likely to die back or brown in zones 5-6
- Mature height
- 12-18 in. foliage; bloom spikes rise slightly above to about 18-24 in.
- Mature width
- 12-18 in. per clump
- Sun
- full sun to full shade; best foliage color and density in part shade
- Water
- moderate/average water; drought tolerant once established (roughly 1 growing season to est
- Bloom time
- mid to late summer, roughly July-August (varies by region)
- Bloom color
- violet-purple spikes; occasional white-flowered plants
- Growth rate
- slow to moderate; clumps spread a few inches per year via short rhizomes
- Deer resistance
- high
- Plant type
- evergreen (semi-evergreen in colder zones) herbaceous perennial, grass-like groundcover
- Clump-forming, grass-like evergreen perennial, not a true grass
- Violet-purple flower spikes appear mid-to-late summer
- Thrives in full sun to full shade, ideal for part shade
- Drought tolerant once established
- Deer resistant
- Hardy in USDA zones 5-10
- Slow-spreading clumps stay tidy, unlike its more aggressive relative Liriope spicata
- Popular as a low-maintenance border or groundcover plant
Growing guides
Core guideBig Blue Lilyturf Care Guide: Sun, Soil, Water and More
Complete Big Blue Lilyturf care guide covering sunlight, soil, water, fertilizer, pruning, and troubleshooting for zones 5-10.
Core guideHow to Plant Big Blue Lilyturf for a Thriving Groundcover
Step-by-step guide to planting Big Blue Lilyturf (Liriope muscari 'Big Blue'). Learn timing, spacing, soil prep, and care for thriving groun
Core guideBig Blue Lilyturf Hardiness Zones: Where Does It Grow Best?
Big Blue Lilyturf hardiness zones 5-10: Learn if it stays evergreen in your zone, cold tolerance by climate, and zone-specific growing tips.
Core guide8 Common Big Blue Lilyturf Problems and How to Fix Them
8 common Big Blue Lilyturf problems: slugs, scale insects, crown rot, root rot, anthracnose, leaf scorch, winter burn, and slow growth. Prac
Core guide12 Best Landscape Uses for Big Blue Lilyturf in Your Yard
Discover 12 practical landscape uses for Big Blue Lilyturf. From borders to groundcover, learn how to maximize this hardy perennial in your
Plant specificBig Blue Lilyturf vs Liriope Spicata: Which Should You Plant?
Compare Big Blue Lilyturf vs Liriope Spicata. Learn the key differences between clumping liriope muscari and spreading creeping lilyturf—and
Core guideBig Blue Lilyturf Sun Requirements: Full Sun or Shade?
Discover Big Blue Lilyturf sun requirements: full sun to shade tolerant, but part shade produces the best foliage color and density. Learn w
Core guideWatering Big Blue Lilyturf: From New Roots to Established
Learn when and how much to water Big Blue Lilyturf from planting through establishment. Practical guide for new and mature plants.
Core guideBest Soil for Big Blue Lilyturf: Drainage, Type and pH
Learn the best soil type, pH, and drainage for Big Blue Lilyturf. Prepare beds with tested, step-by-step soil amendments for healthy Liriope
Core guideHow Big Does Big Blue Lilyturf Get? Size and Growth Rate
Big Blue Lilyturf grows 12-18 inches tall and wide. Learn mature size, spread rate, spacing, and timeline to full size.
Core guideBig Blue Lilyturf Buying Guide: Pots, Sizes and What to Look For
Complete Big Blue Lilyturf buying guide: container sizes, quality indicators, plugs vs pots, best timing, and where to buy healthy plants.
Plant specificBig Blue Lilyturf in Shade: Why It Thrives in Low Light
Big Blue Lilyturf grows beautifully in shade and part shade—learn why this evergreen groundcover thrives with low light and how to plant und
Big Blue Lilyturf questions
Does Big Blue Lilyturf spread aggressively?
No. 'Big Blue' is a clump-forming cultivar of Liriope muscari and spreads slowly, unlike the related Liriope spicata, which spreads by rhizomes and can become weedy.
Can Big Blue Lilyturf grow in full shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade, though it typically produces denser foliage and better bloom in partial shade.
When should I cut back Big Blue Lilyturf?
Cut back old, worn foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth starts, either by hand or with a mower set high.
Is Big Blue Lilyturf evergreen?
It is evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on climate; in colder parts of its hardiness range (roughly zone 5-6) foliage may brown and die back over winter.
How do I propagate Big Blue Lilyturf?
Divide established clumps, typically in spring, and replant divisions at the same spacing used for new plantings.