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. When to Trim: The best time to cut back Liriope’s damaged old leaves is any time before their healthy new leaves come out in the 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. You can wait to cut back cold-damaged plants until any time between January and April, depending on when the threat of subzero temperatures goes away in your area. Picking Your Method: Use a weed eater to trim a large Liriope planting; hedge trimmers are easier to use for edges or border accent plants. Also, hedge trimmers are better for cutting lilyturf with new leaves coming up because they can cut just above the new growth. Making the Cuts Try to cut the plant at 3 inches. Tip: Make sure the blades are cut high enough to protect the crown of each lilyturf plant. The crown is the part just above the soil line where new leaves grow. 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. Squat down and hold the trimmer handles firmly. Then, slide the blades into the leaves 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 cutting back anthracnose-infected liriope, gather as much of the old foliage as you can and throw it away in plastic bags that can’t be opened. 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. This attractive, low-maintenance perennial grass is often used as an edging plant, ground cover or border plant in landscapes throughout much of the United States. But to keep liriope looking lush and healthy, it needs to be cut back each year. Here’s a complete guide on when and how to cut back liriope.
Why Cut Back Liriope
Cutting back liriope serves a few purposes. First, it removes any damage on the leaf tips that may have occurred over the winter. It also helps keep the plant tidy by removing old, yellowing foliage that accumulates. Cutting back the grassy clumps also controls their height and prevents them from getting overly large and out of bounds.
In addition, cutting back liriope in late winter to early spring, just before new growth begins, helps stimulate vigorous new growth. It essentially rejuvenates the plant after being somewhat dormant over the winter.
When to Cut Back Liriope
The optimum time to cut back liriope is late winter to early spring, just before new growth emerges This timing varies by planting zone, but it’s generally late February to March
You want the timing to be:
- After any potential frost danger has passed
- Before new green shoots and leaves begin to emerge
Cutting too early (in fall or winter) can damage cold-sensitive new buds. Cutting too late (once spring growth has started) will trim off the new foliage, giving the grass a blunt, flat appearance until it fills back in.
So pay attention to your specific climate. Ideally walk your landscaping a few times from late winter to early spring to look for signs of new growth starting. Then plan your pruning.
How Often to Cut Back Liriope
Liriope generally only needs cutting back every 2-3 years. Some gardeners even get by with pruning every 4-5 years. But ideally, prune liriope when it starts looking overgrown, ragged or untidy.
If you landscape has well-draining soil and optimal sunlight, your liriope may grow quickly enough to require annual pruning. But only prune what is necessary, as frequent heavy pruning can be stressful for the plant.
How to Cut Back Liriope
You can use several methods to cut back liriope:
By Hand
Pruning by hand with grass shears or scissors is the most time-consuming method, but leaves the nicest appearance. It prevents the blunt, choppy look that sometimes happens with machine pruning.
To prune by hand:
- Gather a clump of leaves in one hand
- Use shears or scissors in the other hand to cut the foliage back at the base
Push Mower
For large areas of liriope, use a standard push lawn mower:
- Install a bag to collect clippings
- Raise the mower blade to the highest setting
- Slowly move the mower over the liriope beds to shear the grass back
- Edge around borders and tight spots with a string trimmer
The mower will provide a quick, clean cut. Just be sure to go slow and avoid damaging the crowns of the plants.
String Trimmer
A gas or electric string trimmer also works to cut back liriope. Set the trimmer head height to just above the crown of the plants to avoid damage. Carefully trim over the entire area, then edge around borders and garden features.
The string trimmer is fast, but can potentially leave behind uneven, jagged cuts compared to scissors or a mower. Be careful not to accidentally scalp or gouge the liriope crowns.
Lawn Tractor or Zero-Turn Mower
For very large liriope beds, a lawn tractor, zero-turn mower or commercial-grade riding mower can efficiently cut back the grass. Install a bagger to collect clippings. Slowly drive over the liriope, then edge with a trimmer.
Cutting Back Liriope Step-by-Step
Follow this simple process for cutting back liriope:
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In late winter, inspect liriope for signs of new growth starting. Look for green shoots near the base.
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If no new growth has started, choose your pruning method based on the size of the bed – hand tools for small areas or power equipment for large beds.
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Put on protective eyewear and gloves. Remove any debris from the liriope.
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Cut the existing foliage down near the base, about 2 inches above the crown. Avoid cutting too short.
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Edge around landscape borders and hardscapes with scissors or a string trimmer.
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Rake up debris and discard clippings or compost them.
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Water the liriope beds thoroughly after pruning. Apply a balanced fertilizer to stimulate regrowth.
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Within 4-6 weeks, you should see fresh, new green foliage emerging.
Caring for Liriope After Cutting Back
After cutting back liriope, proper aftercare promotes quick regrowth:
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Water the liriope thoroughly to avoid drought stress. Continue watering as needed until new growth is established.
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Apply a balanced fertilizer or a nitrogen-heavy formula to fuel regrowth. Slow-release organic options work well.
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Cover bare patches with a thin layer of shredded bark or other organic mulch. This helps retain moisture and suppresses weeds.
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Be patient. It takes 4-6 weeks for fresh new foliage to fully fill in after pruning liriope. Healthy plants will recover quickly.
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Avoid excessive foot traffic immediately after pruning to prevent damage to the emerging new growth.
With proper timing and technique, cutting back liriope improves the health and appearance of this attractive ornamental grass. Time your pruning correctly, choose an efficient pruning method, and follow up with attentive aftercare. Before long, your liriope will look revitalized.
Common Problems When Cutting Back Liriope
When pruning liriope, there are a few potential problems to avoid:
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Cutting too early – Pruning in late fall or winter can damage cold-sensitive new buds before they have a chance to safely harden off. Wait until late winter after the last frost.
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Cutting too late – If you prune after new growth has already started emerging, it will trim off the fresh, light green foliage. This gives the grass a blunted, flat appearance as it works to regrow the new leaves.
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Cutting too short – Shearing the foliage too close to the crown risks damaging the plant. Leave about 2 inches of stubble above the base.
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Scalping the crown – Power equipment like mowers and trimmers can gouge into the plant’s crown if you’re not careful. Go slow and adjust the blade height.
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Skipping aftercare – Neglecting water, fertilizer, and mulch after pruning weakens the liriope and delays recovery.
Liriope Pruning FAQ
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cutting back liriope:
Does it matter if you cut back liriope in fall vs spring?
Spring is better timing than fall. Cutting back liriope in fall removes protective foliage before winter. Spring pruning is ideal because it stimulates fresh regrowth as the weather warms.
How short can you cut liriope?
Avoid cutting liriope shorter than about 2 inches. Leaving some foliage protects the crown. If you scalp it too short, it can thin out the plant over time.
What does liriope look like when cut back too early?
If cut back in fall or winter, new liriope growth will emerge flat across the top with a blunted, uneven appearance. The new leaves will eventually fill in, but cutting too early delays that process.
Does liriope grow back after cutting?
Yes, liriope will grow back after cutting. But allow 4-6 weeks for regrowth. Proper timing, technique, and aftercare ensure liriope recovers quickly from pruning.
Do you have to cut back liriope every year?
No, cutting back every 2-3 years is usually sufficient for most liriope. But prune more often if the foliage declines or becomes overgrown and unattractive.
Conclusion
Timing is critical when cutting back ornamental liriope grasses. For best results, prune in late winter to early spring before new growth starts. Use hand tools or power equipment based on the size of the area, and leave about 2 inches of foliage. Proper follow-up care ensures liriope rebounds quickly. With the right technique, cutting back liriope improves its health and appearance. Just be sure to prune at the right time to avoid damaging new growth.
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