How to Landscape With Liriope

Prevent erosion by planting liriope on a steep bank, hillside or other areas where soil displacement is a problem. Liriope's matlike root system and spreading characteristics stabilize topsoil, preventing it from being carried away by water run-off and wind.

Replace grass with liriope in difficult-to-mow areas around trees and shrubs. Liriope grows 10 to 15 inches high, depending on the cultivar, and is adaptable to both sun and shade conditions, making it suitable for growing near both evergreen and deciduous trees.

Separate sections of the garden with liriope edgings and borders. Outline a perennial flower bed with Silvery Sunproof liriope, a cultivar that rarely shows signs of leaf burn or fading under hot, sunny conditions. Line a concrete or stone walkway with rows of Evergreen Giant, a type of liriope with stiff, upright leaves that reach 18 to 24 inches high. For more delicate borders, choose Samantha, which has spikes of pink flowers in the summer, or John Burch with its yellow-outlined leaf blades.

Cover up large patches of poor soil, clay and sandy ground with creeping liriope (Liriope spicata). The plants spread by underground rhizomes to create a turflike ground cover that reaches 1 foot high. Once established, creeping liriope tolerates heat and drought. It is also tolerant of salt spray, making it a suitable replacement for grass when landscaping around seaside homes.