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Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple' (Royal Purple Lilyturf)
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© Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons

Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple'

Royal Purple Lilyturf

Garden selection; species native to China, Japan, and Taiwan

At a Glance

FoliageEvergreen
Height12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 10
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Overview

Liriope muscari 'Royal Purple' is the darkest-flowered lilyturf, growing 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) tall and wide. Deep royal purple flowers in dense grape-hyacinth-like spikes appear in August and September — darker and more saturated than the violet-blue of 'Big Blue'. The deeper color makes the flower spikes more visible against the dark green foliage. Same extreme adaptability: any light, any soil, drought-tolerant. Same annual shearing in late winter. Blue-black berries follow. Clumping habit. Mildly toxic. Deer avoid the foliage.

Native Range

The species Liriope muscari is native to China, Japan, and Taiwan. 'Royal Purple' is a garden selection for the deepest flower color.

Suggested Uses

Used in all the same applications as 'Big Blue' when a deeper purple flower is desired. The darkest liriope for maximum flower visibility. Edging, ground cover, under trees.

How to Identify

Identified by deep royal purple grape-hyacinth-like flower spikes — darker and more saturated than the violet-blue 'Big Blue'. Same dark green arching evergreen foliage and clumping habit.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Flowering in August and September, approximately 4 weeks. Deep royal purple spikes.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Deep royal purple, in dense grape-hyacinth-like spikes

Foliage Description

Dark green, narrow, arching, grass-like, glossy

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in sun to full shade. Any soil. Shear all foliage to 3 inches in late February–March. Mildly toxic.

Pruning

Shear all foliage to 3 inches in late February–March.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans