Is That It?

I always remember talking to a friend who once started work in a nursery. Ive been gardening for quite a number of years now, so I became the go to girl for plant knowledge, amongst my friends. He asked me about liriopes and when they flower. He was expecting some big, grand bloom from these little, tufty, grassy plants. When a small, purplish flower spike appeared, he was most disappointed, I still giggle at his response of "is that it?!?". I think he would have thought better if he had seen them planted en mass, not just the single little plant in a tiny pot that he bought. Liriopes are typically used as an edging plant, and we hedge trim them at work to try to keep them low as this is the 'giant variety' (it gets to about knee height). When they are in large numbers you get this effect of lots of little purple sprays of flowers and it really does look quite effective. I think they lose their charm when they are planted on their own, they just look lonely and frumpy. Being with a bunch of friends really brings out the best in them.