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Liriope Muscari not flowering

Nana PatNana Pat Posts: 26
in Problem solving
Any ideas out there as to why my Liriope Muscari has no flowers? I bought three plants in full flower in late summer 2016 but none of them have flowered since. They are in deep raised beds in front of a north-east facing 6' fence, so get some morning sun in the warmer months but little or none in the winter. The leaves have stayed evergreen over the two winters since planting and I have merely cut off the odd brown leaf in spring. The three plants have barely changed in size at all. After the first year of non-flowering in 2017, I thought I'd give them another chance but got the same again this year, i.e. no flower stems at all! In the same beds my astrantias, hellebores, heucheras, snakeshead fritillary, 'lollipop' Laurus Nobilis, clematis (on the fence) and campanula (falling over the edge of the beds) have all done well with a spring mulch of '6X', watering over the hot summer, and occasional feeding with 'Miracle Grow'. I'm wondering whether to give up on them or not? I've not got much planting space so I'm tempted to ditch them and replace with something which will earn its keep and reward me with some late colour - any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks. 

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    You mention deep raised beds. What type of soil have you got in there? Although they can deal with heavy damp soil, they are also fine with drier soils too. But, they do prefer to be planted in more acidic soil conditions. Maybe try to incorporate some ericaceous compost all around them and see what happens.


  • Nana PatNana Pat Posts: 26
    The beds were newly built in late 2015 and we put in two-thirds bagged, good quality top soil and one-third bagged well-rotted manure. I suppose that made it maybe slightly acidic when new but I'll definitely try some fresh ericaceous compost for the liriope now. Many thanks for the advice. Sorry to impose on you again, but would I be better digging up the plants and incorporating fresh compost into the hole before re-planting or just trying to dig some in around them? Thanks in advance!
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Mine are not out yet, they are flowers of the autumn.
    Mine do very well in poor, dry, alkaline soil


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    I don't think it's totally necessary to do that. But, if you think they were originally pot bound and didn't tease out the roots, then you could dig it all out and re-plant. But, if not, just remove around an inch of soil around it and work some ericaceous compost over the top layer.

    I note you mention north east facing bed. They don't do well in over windy areas. The leaves can get scorched around the edges and eventually die back a bit. Keep them in a protected position.
  • Nana PatNana Pat Posts: 26
    Thanks again for the advice, Borderline! I hadn't thought about the wind, although here in the western foothills of the Pennines the prevailing winds are westerlies and the whole 8m x 5m garden is enclosed by the house, the 6' fence behind (on the south-west side of) the raised beds, a similar fence on the opposite boundary line, and a large summerhouse. It seems quite sheltered from the wind so I'll try some fresh ericaceous compost and see what happens next year! If they don't 'perform' again, I'll probably end up donating them to my local town gardening/environmental group and trying them in a sheltered, shady spot in one of the many gardens we volunteers look after. They might just enjoy a change of scenery! 
  • Nana PatNana Pat Posts: 26
    Thanks for your comment Nutcutlet - glad to hear your Liriope do well for you! Gotta say that mine did look so very beautiful when I bought them in full flower in September 2016 and I was looking forward to the same display every year, hence my disappointment both last year and this. There's no sign whatsoever of any flower stems emerging, although the leaves are green and lush. 
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Not sure if this helps , but mine grow in damp leafy ericaceous soil under the shade of trees .
    Seem to flower regularly there .
  • Nana PatNana Pat Posts: 26
    Thanks Paul B3 - I think adding ericaceous compost will be worth a try. Next year will tell! 
  • Lindsay.fowlerLindsay.fowler Posts: 1
    Hi I have a very large planter full of muscari, that I planted them 2 years ago when they were in flower. The past 2 springs, although a few small flowers have appeared, it is mainly a mess of very long foliage. They share the planter with an amelanchier tree and ferns. Where am I going wrong?
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    you need to start a new thread Lindsay. this is a different plant


    In the sticks near Peterborough
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