Since turf grass takes so much time and/or money to maintain, many people are looking for alternatives that will be attractive and easy to maintain. Louisville resident Kevin McAdams found that liriope spicata was an excellent ground cover to plant in his yard to replace the turf grass. The liriope plant—also known as "monkey grass"—is often used as a landscape border, but more and more people are using it as a ground cover, since it spreads easily. Liriope spicata, planted one foot apart in sun or shade, soon grows together to become a lush ground cover that has a mass of purple flowers in the fall. The pictures show the progress in one growing season; it takes about 2 growing seasons to totally fill in the area. It can be grown in planting zones 4 to 10 in average wet, medium, or dry soil, and is subject to few insect or disease problems.

McAdams first removed the turf grass, then tilled the area for better aeration before planting the plants. After they were established, he mulched the plants and kept them watered for the first growing season. The pictures show how quickly the plant spreads, filling in to form a solid, sturdy ground cover. The plants will turn brown in late winter. One mowing on the mower's highest setting in early spring before any new growth begins will remove the brown so the green will take over again. Watch the progress as his liriope spicata ground cover becomes a low-maintenance solution for his front yard. The last picture shows a mature stand of liriope spicata on a different property.

Cost: McAdams said the plants purchased through a local nursery covered his 680-square foot front yard for under $600; about $90/100 sq. ft.

For more information, see liriope spicata (NC State U.).

Click on a picture to see the full-size photograph.

Before starting	After tilling	Planting the liriope (May)
Mulch is added.	July	December
In snow (Dec.)	Mature liriope