Compared to the standard 'Liriope muscari', 'Isabella' really stands out due to its denser more compact fine leaf foliage. In summer 'Isabella' has a distinctive display of showy pink flowers throughout the top of the foliage.
Should the foliage ever discolour significantly, simply cut back the plant to about 7-8cm above the ground with a sharp implement. Avoid trimming in the heat of Summer or the cold of Winter.
'Isabella' is drought and frost tolerant and it can tolerate occasional wet feet. Good for sunny/shady positions. In very cold parts of Australia such as Canberra and Horsham annual trimming may be required as 'Isabella' can significantly discolour in Winter. 'Isabella' has extreme cold tolerance and can cope with almost all cold areas of Australia. It also has good humidity tolerance for the tropics.
Liriope Muscari 'LIRJ'
Just Right is a much better alternative to the popular Liriope, Evergreen Giant. Just Right’s foliage burns less in the sun, or in frosts and its leaves simply feel stronger and more robust. Just Right’s leaves are also finer, making the clump look dense and compact. Just Right is a consistent height, which is very important for mass plantings.
Unfortunately, Evergreen Giant is no longer a stable variety. Nurseries all over Australia have been growing it from seed for years, and it now comes in all different shapes and sizes. Even division grown forms are now extremely variable. So if you ask for 100 Liriope Evergreen Giant, you may get 30 or so different forms. Just Right will always be exactly the same size, as it comes only from division, or Tissue Culture.
Just Right is not too big, or too small. Some Evergreen Giant forms grow to 700 or 800 mm tall. Some other forms of Liriope are too small to compete with weeds. Just Right, is just the right size, at an average height of 45cm to 50cm.
Just Right remains more evergreen than any other Liriope in drought or cold, or wet, making it the best landscape gardening Liriope available. Just Right is also more tolerant of Phytophthora than Evergreen Giant. Just Right has so far over 6 years never produced a viable seed, so it can not come up in the bush on its own, where as Evergreen Giant seeds a lot.
Description: Evergreen strappy leaf plant with uniformity. Grows to an average size of 45-50cm tall by 45-50cm wide. Just Right has white to light purple flowers.
Uses: Can be used for mass plantings, specimen plants, along paths and fences.
Position: Tolerates full sun and moderate to heavy shade. Soils can by moderate heavy to free draining.
Care: Almost no maintenance needed, Trim if needed.
Liriope Muscari 'LIRTP'
Amethyst’s flowers sit high above the foliage, unlike most Liriope. The beautiful long lasting deep purple flowers are a real highlight.
Amethyst has an excellent foliage form, producing semi-compact dark green clumps. There are other Liriope available that also have good deep purple flowers, but their foliage is very flat compared to Amethyst, and their flowers are shorter.
Amethyst grows well all over Australia, including hot humid regions, and bitterly cold areas. In colder climates like Melbourne, or Canberra, it is a good idea to trim the foliage back each year in mid to late winter, allowing the crisp new shoots to emerge with out the clutter of older leaves. On larger projects this may not be possible, but don’t worry, by spring or summer the new clean foliage will dominate the old foliage, giving the plant a refreshed look.
Description: Dark green compact foliage. Grows to an average size of 40cm tall by 40cm wide. Amethyst has tall purple flowers well above the foliage.
Uses: Can be used for mass plantings, rockeries, ornamental flowering gardens.
Position: Tolerates full sun and moderate to heavy shade. Suited to a wide selection of soil types.
Care: Low maintenance, fertilise annually with slow release fertiliser.
