Liriope Spicata (spreading monkey grass) – Eradication

Q: I was given some “spicato” border grass several years ago. It has taken over my more desirable grasses and is rampant in my beds. How can I eradicate it completely?

A: I think the invasive plant you have is Liriope spicata, spreading monkey grass. I have it in my back yard as well, mixed with clumping monkey grass, Liriope muscari.

My weapon of choice is glyphosate (Roundup, etc). I make a slow tour of my landscape every four weeks during the growing season carrying a sprayer filled with herbicide mixture. Every sprig of an invasive plant gets a squirt.

So far, I’ve been able to keep English ivy, spreading monkey grass, yellow archangel, poison ivy and chameleon plant successfully at bay.