Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Silvery Sunproof Liriope
Silvery Sunproof Liriope forms low clumps of narrow, grass-like leaves striped silver and green. Spikes of pale violet flowers rise in late summer, followed by dark berries. It stays about 15 to 18 inches tall and wide and brightens dark corners. In the Valley it needs a shaded spot and regular water.
Best for: edging shady borders and walks, brightening dark corners, and fine texture under trees and on the shady side of the house.
Low clumps make a neat edge along shady borders, driveways and sidewalks.
The silver-striped leaves brighten dark corners and the shady side of the house.
It works as a fine-textured filler or ground cover in shaded beds.
In Phoenix it needs part to full shade; in sun the leaves scorch. Salty soil and water burn the leaf edges unless the soil is amended.
- Tight edging or border12 in apart, center to center
- Looser bed18 in apart, center to center
Plant it in part to full shade in the Valley. Direct sun scorches the leaves.
Keep young plants moist while they root in. It needs regular water in the Valley after that.
Cut the tops back in February, before new growth begins.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
Can Silvery Sunproof liriope take full sun in Phoenix?
No. Despite the name, liriope needs part to full shade in the Valley. Plant it on a shaded side of the house or under trees.
How big does it get?
It grows about 15 to 18 inches tall and wide.
How much water does it need?
It needs regular water in the Valley. Young plants need moist soil while they root in.
Why are the leaf edges brown?
Salty soil and water can burn the leaf edges. Mix plenty of organic matter into the soil at planting.
When should I cut it back?
Cut the tops back in February, before new growth begins.
When does it bloom?
Pale violet flower spikes appear in late summer, followed by dark berries. Blooms are fewer in deep shade.
Is it toxic to pets?
Its berries are listed as a low-severity poison. Keep pets from eating them.
How is it different from giant lily turf?
It is much smaller, about 15 to 18 inches, with silver-striped leaves. Giant lily turf grows 2 to 3 feet with dark green leaves. See our Giant Lily Turf page to compare.
Silvery Sunproof Liriope for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Silvery Sunproof Liriope is a low, silver-striped clumping plant for shady borders. Despite its name it needs shade in the Valley. Below: size, shade, water, soil and cutting back.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Liriope in Phoenix shade
Liriope needs part to full shade and regular water in the Valley.
Silvery Sunproof liriope size
It stays about 15 to 18 inches tall and wide.
When to cut back liriope
Cut the tops back in February before new growth begins.
Brown tips on liriope
Salty soil and water burn leaf edges; amend the soil with organic matter.
Liriope for shady borders
Its low clumps edge shady borders, driveways and walks.
Silvery Sunproof vs Giant Lily Turf
Silvery Sunproof is smaller with silver stripes; Giant Lily Turf is larger and dark green.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.