A few ground covers are tough enough

When the situation seems hopeless, turn to the "wonder ground cover,” liriope, also known as lilyturf or monkey grass.

Most folks in Oklahoma know liriope (Liriope species) as monkey grass. Outside Oklahoma, the most widely used common name for liriope is lilyturf. Liriope is one of the most versatile, easy-to-care-for ground covers you can plant in Oklahoma. There is a wide choice of liropes with varying foliage color, flower color and size. Although it is grown for its foliage, liriope produces beautiful flower spikes in mid to late summer.

Liriope is a tough ground cover that can be used in part shade to areas with almost full sun. This grasslike plant is extremely drought-tolerant and grows in a wide range of soils. Liriope does need adequate drainage and will not survive where the soil stays wet for long periods. It is evergreen, although it's best to remove the old foliage in late winter. It spreads gradually by underground rhizomes, making liriope easy to divide and move to new places in the yard.

A close cousin of liriope is mondo grass (Ophiopogon species), sometimes called monkey grass outside Oklahoma. Mondo grass needs more shade than liriope. It is smaller and works well in smaller spaces or used as a short edging.

Below is a list of liriope and mondo grass cultivars. The liriope cultivars with dark green leaves can be planted in locations with full sun. Make sure the variegated liriope cultivars and mondo grass have shade in the afternoon.