NAME: Liriope muscari AKA: Lilyturf TYPE: Perennial FAMILY: Convallariaceae or lily-of-the valley family. VITAL STATS: Mounding plant grows one foot tall and 18 inches wide with narrow grassy leaves about a foot long and spikes of lilac-purple flowers that give way to small glossy black berries in fall. NATIVE LAND: China, Taiwan, Japan BLOSSOM TIME: Spring to early summer BEST FEATURES: Arching evergreen foliage; delicate flower spikes that resemble grape hyacinths; grows where few plants dare to go—in dry shady places as well as under trees; drought tolerant. LIKES: Humus-rich, well-drained soil on the acidic side; sun or partial to full shade. SWORN ENEMIES: Slugs, snails, leaf spot, root rot. PLANT PARTNERS: A lovely groundcover in the shade garden with ferns and hostas as companions; a subtle edging plant. TLC: Space plants about a foot apart; provide shelter from strong winds to avoid leaf scorch; cut back old foliage to about two inches from the ground in late winter; divide in spring, although it shouldn’t be necessary for many years. HARDINESS ZONE: 6 to 10