Tokai Rinpa Liriope. We spotted this cultivar of Liriope in a small Rohdea nursery on the outskirts of Tokyo. When looking over the collection of Rohdeas before us, several pots jumped out from all of the others in the far corner of the greenhouse. Upon investigating the plant, thinking that it was a small variegated Rohdea, I found it to be this Liriope. The best way to describe it is that it looks like someone spilled a bucket of paint in the area and it splashed all of the foliage of this selection. The best translation of the name 'Tokai Rinpa' is probably "round (or circular) wave of Tokai ." One must never try to understand why the Japanese give a particular cultivar name to a plant, or it will drive you crazy. But I'm sure there is a good reason. It does well in full sun to full shade and will reach about 12" tall in time. It clumps, but does not run, making for a very "obedient" plant. The flowers are the same lavender-purple of the species.
Zones 6-10
