Plant Library

Other Names:  Border Grass, Lilyturf

Description:

A tufted grass like perennial that features a clump of arching, green and white varigated leaves; a beautiful display of lovely lilac-purple flower spikes; it is best massed as a groundcover or in containers

Ornamental Features

Aztec Grass Lily Turf features dainty spikes of lilac purple flowers with purple overtones rising above the foliage in late summer. Its attractive grassy leaves emerge chartreuse in spring, turning emerald green in color with prominent silver stripes the rest of the year. It features an abundance of magnificent black berries in early fall.

Landscape Attributes

Aztec Grass Lily Turf is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spreading

Aztec Grass Lily Turf is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Aztec Grass Lily Turf will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to full shade. Keep it well away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.