Starting with brown spots, Liriope may develop brown, withered foliage during winter in some areas. Also the fungal disease anthracnose may leave the plant tattered. Whether cold or disease is the problem, a well-timed trim is the solution.
Tip If you looking to contain these plants, I have some bad news. Pruning will not control meandering Liriope. Only digging up and discarding them or spraying them with root-killing glyphosate or diquat herbicide does. Herbicide use requires repeat treatments and shielding nearby plants from the drifting spray. Timing the Trim The best time to trim Liriopes damaged old foliage is anytime before its healthy new foliage emerges in spring. Otherwise, youll shave the top of the fresh growth as well as the old growth. Fall trimming of anthracnose-blemished plants — in warm-winter climates, at least — keeps them looking good until spring. Cutting back cold-damaged foliage can wait until anytime between January and April, depending on when the threat of subzero temperatures subsides in your area. Choosing Your Method Trim a large Liriope planting with a weed eater; for edgings or border-accent plants, hedge trimmers are easier to manage. Hedge trimmers are also better for cutting lilyturf with sprouting leaves because the tool can cut just above the new growth. Making the Cuts Try to cut the plant at 3 inches. Tip The most important factor is to trim the blades high enough to protect each lilyturfs crown, which is the part just above the soil line and from where new leaves emerge. Setting the blades to cut 3 to 4 inches high should keep the crowns safe. Use the hedge trimmers like a giant pair of scissors. Kneeling, hold the trimmer grips firmly, and slide the blades into the foliage 3 to 4 inches above the crowns. As you cut, keep the blades horizontal and parallel to the ground. Otherwise, the trimmed plants will look uneven and spiky. Warning After trimming anthracnose-infected Liriope, rake up as much of the old foliage as possible, and dispose of it in sealed plastic bags. The removed foliage harbors spores that can reinfect the plants during wet weather.
Liriope, commonly known as lilyturf or monkey grass, is a popular ornamental grass used in landscapes across much of the United States. This attractive, low-maintenance perennial grass is often utilized as an edging plant, ground cover or border plant. But to keep liriope looking lush and healthy year after year, it needs to be cut back annually. Here’s a complete guide on when and how to cut back liriope.
Why Cut Back Liriope
There are a few key reasons to cut back liriope each year:
-
Removes any dead, damaged or discolored leaf tips that may have occurred over winter. This keeps the foliage looking fresh and vibrant.
-
Helps control the size and prevent the grassy clumps from getting overly large and unruly
-
Removes old yellowing foliage that naturally accumulates at the base over time.
-
Stimulates new, vigorous growth by cutting back the old growth just before new growth emerges in spring. This essentially rejuvenates the plant.
-
Maintains a tidy, uniform appearance by removing uneven, tattered or overgrown foliage.
When to Cut Back Liriope
The optimal time to cut back liriope is late winter to early spring, just before new growth begins emerging from the crown of the plant. This timing varies slightly depending on your USDA planting zone, but generally falls between
- Zone 7 – Mid to late February
- Zone 8 – Mid February to early March
- Zone 9 – Late February to mid March
- Zone 10 – Early to mid March
The overarching goal is to prune:
-
After the last expected frost date for your zone
-
Before new green shoots and leaves start developing
Cutting too early (in fall or winter) can damage cold-sensitive new buds. Alternatively, cutting too late (once spring growth has already started) will trim off the new, light green foliage. This gives the freshly pruned grass a blunted, flat appearance until it can fill back in.
So pay close attention to your specific climate and inspect the liriope carefully through late winter into early spring. Look for the first signs of new green growth emerging from the crown. Then plan your pruning accordingly.
How Often to Cut Back Liriope
Ideally, plan to cut back liriope every 2-3 years. Some gardeners even get by with pruning only every 4-5 years. However, it’s best to trim liriope more frequently, even as often as annually, if the plants are showing decline or getting overly large and congested.
If your landscape has nutrient-rich soil and optimal sunlight, your liriope may grow vigorously enough to require yearly pruning. But avoid excessive annual pruning, as this can unduly stress the plant. Only cut back what is necessary to rejuvenate the plant and improve its form.
How to Cut Back Liriope
You can use several methods to cut back liriope depending on the size of the area being pruned:
-
By hand – Pruning by hand with grass shears or scissors is time-consuming but leaves the nicest, cleanest appearance. It prevents the blunt, choppy look that sometimes happens with machine pruning.
-
Push mower – For larger plantings, use a standard push lawn mower set at the highest blade setting and bag the clippings. Mow slowly to avoid damaging crowns.
-
String trimmer – A gas or electric string trimmer also works well, but may leave behind uneven, jagged cuts. Adjust the head height and carefully trim.
-
Lawn tractor – For very large areas, a lawn tractor or zero-turn mower efficiently cuts back liriope when used with care. Edge any borders with a string trimmer.
Cutting Back Liriope Step-by-Step
Follow this simple process for cutting back liriope:
-
In late winter, inspect the liriope for signs of new green growth starting near the base of the plants.
-
Choose your pruning method based on the size of the area – hand tools for small spaces or power equipment for large areas.
-
Put on protective eyewear and gloves. Remove any debris resting on the liriope.
-
Cut the existing foliage down to about 2 inches above the crown of each plant. Avoid cutting too short.
-
Edge neatly along borders and hardscapes with scissors or a string trimmer.
-
Rake up debris and discard clippings or compost them.
-
Water thoroughly after pruning. Apply a balanced fertilizer to encourage fresh regrowth.
-
Within 4-6 weeks new green foliage will be emerging and filling back in.
Caring for Liriope After Cutting Back
After cutting back liriope, proper aftercare is vital:
-
Water thoroughly to prevent drought stress and continue watering regularly as the new foliage establishes.
-
Apply a balanced fertilizer or nitrogen-heavy formula to fuel regrowth. Slow-release organic fertilizers work wonderfully.
-
Cover bare areas with a fresh layer of shredded bark or other organic mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
-
Be patient! It takes 4-6 weeks for the fresh new foliage to fully fill in after cutting back liriope plants.
-
Avoid excessive foot traffic immediately after pruning to prevent damage to the emerging tender new growth.
Tips to Avoid Common Liriope Pruning Problems
When cutting back ornamental liriope grasses, there are a few potential problems to be aware of:
-
Cutting too early – This can damage cold-sensitive new buds before they have a chance to harden off. Wait until late winter after all frost danger has passed.
-
Cutting too late – Pruning after new growth has already emerged will prune off the new foliage. Delayed regrowth will result.
-
Cutting too short – Never shear foliage too close to the crown. Leave a 2 inch stub to protect the plant over winter.
-
Scalping the crown – Power equipment can easily damage the crown if you’re not careful. Adjust equipment properly and go slow.
-
Skipping aftercare – Neglecting water, fertilizer, and mulch after pruning stresses the liriope, delaying recovery.
Liriope Pruning FAQ
Q: Does fall or spring pruning produce better results?
A: Spring is much better timing than fall. Fall pruning removes protective foliage just before winter dormancy. Aim to prune in early spring to stimulate vigorous regrowth as weather warms.
Q: How short can you cut back liriope without harming the plant?
A: Avoid cutting liriope shorter than 2 inches. Leaving some foliage protects the crown. Cutting too short risks thinning out the grass over time.
Q: If cut back too early, what will new liriope growth look like?
A: Pruning in fall or winter causes flat, blunted new foliage until the plant can fill back in. New growth emerges unevenly across the top. Delay pruning until spring for best results.
Q: Will liriope grow back after being cut down to the ground?
A: Yes, liriope will regrow after cutting back to the crown. But allow 4-6 weeks for new foliage to fully fill in. Take care not to prune too severely.
Q: Does liriope need cutting back every single year?
A: Not necessarily. Many only need pruning every 2-3 years. But trim annually if declines or overgrowth occur. Use discretion based on the plant’s health.
Conclusion
Cutting back ornamental liriope grasses on a regular basis helps maintain their health and form. For optimal results, prune in very early spring before new growth emerges using the correct method for the size of plantings. Leave adequate foliage, provide attentive aftercare, and new growth will quickly revive the plant. With proper timing and care, cutting back liriope improves its appearance year after year.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————We are a locally owned company with 30 years experience in Professional Lawn Maintenance————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
