Liriope Muscari’Big Blue’ dying - Ask Extension
I have a mass planting of the above plant and they are dying. It started in one small area last year and the whole planting is slowly dying. Any ide...
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Liriope Muscari’Big Blue’ dying #889327
Asked November 04, 2024, 1:57 PM EST
I have a mass planting of the above plant and they are dying. It started in one small area last year and the whole planting is slowly dying. Any ideas on what the problem is would be greatly appreciated. Phots attached
Many thanks.
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
I grow a variegated monkey grass, or Liriope, which is similar to your ‘Big Blue’ in cultural requirements. It’s sure pretty when healthy. To troubleshoot your planting, more detective work by you and photos is needed.
First, dig up a dying (still partly alive) plant. How do the roots look? Do you see any larvae in the soil or roots? Share a photo.
Provide a couple photos of the whole landscape. Is there a pattern to the decline? Are surrounding plantings healthy? What is the soil drainage like in the winter: a low place with standing water in rains? Or on a slope?
Tell me about how you irrigate and fertilize the area. Do you use weed & feed or similar in an adjacent lawn? Do you regularly add organic mulch over the soil? Are they growing full sun? Full shade? Part shade?
How long have these plants been growing for you without damage? Has anything changed in the area, for instance a tree removed or sprinklers broken?
We might not identify the exact cause of the decline, but often we can make suggestions to improve plant health.
First, dig up a dying (still partly alive) plant. How do the roots look? Do you see any larvae in the soil or roots? Share a photo.
Provide a couple photos of the whole landscape. Is there a pattern to the decline? Are surrounding plantings healthy? What is the soil drainage like in the winter: a low place with standing water in rains? Or on a slope?
Tell me about how you irrigate and fertilize the area. Do you use weed & feed or similar in an adjacent lawn? Do you regularly add organic mulch over the soil? Are they growing full sun? Full shade? Part shade?
How long have these plants been growing for you without damage? Has anything changed in the area, for instance a tree removed or sprinklers broken?
We might not identify the exact cause of the decline, but often we can make suggestions to improve plant health.
