The Grass-Like Ground Cover That Will Help Keep Weeds Out Of Your Flower Beds

Weeding by hand can be beneficial. It encourages you to get close to the plants you want to keep, so you can spot problems early. That said, most of us would rather avoid that particular backbreaking chore if we could. There are ways to use mulch in your garden to help keep the weeds down, but it's not entirely maintenance-free, and some people simply don't like the appearance. A more attractive solution is to grow ground cover plants to suppress them. One easy-to-grow, grass-like option that comes in several varieties is called Liriope.

Liriope is commonly known as lilyturf, monkey grass, or spider grass. Originating in East Asia, it's not actually a grass at all but a member of the asparagus family (although it is not edible). It's a perennial that's hardy in USDA zones 4 to 10, with white or lavender-colored flower spikes that bloom from August through September. It may be evergreen in the warmer southern states, whereas elsewhere it will die back once the temperature drops and reappear the following spring.

Liriope likes well-drained, acidic, or neutral soil and can be planted anywhere from partial shade to full sun. It's also drought tolerant. It forms dense clumps of thick, grass-like leaves that weeds can't compete with.

The two main species are Liriope muscari and Liriope spicata. Both have arching, grass-like leaves, and a spreading habit that creates a dense barrier. This growth habit prevents sunlight getting to weed seeds and makes it almost impossible for them to germinate. There are purple-leaved and variegated varieties that add interest to a flower bed. The smallest Liriope can be 10 inches tall, while others grow up to two feet. 

Some thought is required when choosing the variety so it doesn't overwhelm the entire bed. Liriope muscari is relatively easy to manage because it spreads via small root clumps, but Liriope spicata, also known as creeping Liriope, spreads using rhizomes (underground runners). These can pop up all over the place. It still forms a weed-suppressing mat, but it can get out of hand. Its aggressive nature means it could out-compete other plants in flower beds, and even digging portions up may not stop the rhizomes from spreading.

Some species of Liriope spicata and Liriope muscari are considered invasive in several states. Because they are invasive in some areas, contact your local extension office before planting. Fortunately, even if you live in one of the areas where Liriope is banned, there are other low-maintenance ground cover plants that are easy to grow that will do the same job of suppressing weeds.