Liatris (Gayfeathers)
Liatris | Gayfeathers - sun to light shade perennial, summer bloom purple feathery spikes of flowers. easy care perennial plant.
| Liatris | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Bloom Time | Mostly Summer - Varies |
| Light | Full Sun - Light Shade |
| Water | Well Drained - Moist |
| Diseases | Leaf Spot, Rust, Rot |
| Pests | Slugs, Snails |
| Propagation | Division, Seed |
| Color | Blue, Purple, Pink, White |
| Zones | 3-8 |
Liatris (Gayfeathers)
Liatris is one of those perennials that is so striking and unusually that it begs a prominent spot in the border.
With its pink to blue or lavender fuzzy spikes of flowers that stand up to about 5', you get a great vertical element to work with.
Know as great butterfly attractors, these flower spikes open from the top downward, which is opposite of most spike flowers, which open from bottom to top.
A native to eastern and central United States, these plants do well in poor soil, and withstand heat, cold and even drought. A wonderful cut flower, lending strong vertical accent to any arrangement.
Another thing that is unique about gayfeathers is its lack of a need of fertilizer. Of coarse if you do fertilize it, you will get a healthier more energetic plant.
Gayfeathers look the best when planted in groups. I would plant at least 5 to 7 in one group to get the full impact for this plant.
Liatris are another of the perennial plants that can be easily divided in the sprint, before flower spikes are up.
Another option is to plant seed in the fall. They will come true from seed and you get a bunch of them off those tall flower spikes. I just collection them every so often and save them for a fall planting.
Group Gayfeathers together in grouping of 5 to 7 or more. They provide a very strong vertical element in the boarder, so limit their use to areas you would like to create drama.
Moderately drought tolerant and poor soil, this plant can also be reserved or those areas of the garden that are difficult and where not much else will survive.
Liatris (Gayfeathers)
Liatris (Gayfeathers)
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Liatris spicata 'Floristan White': may reach 3 feet tall. Its leafy stems carry long spikes of creamy white flower heads at their tips. Zones 4-9
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Liatris spicata 'Kobold': is one of the best varieties for cutting. Its robust spikes of bright purple flowers appear in early summer. It grows about 2 feet tall. Zones 4-9
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Liatris spicata (Blazing Star): 18 to 28 inch tall spikes of fragrant, fringed, mauve-purple or white flowers.
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Liatris spicata ( Blue Bird Blazing Star ): Fine grass-like, bright green leaves arise from a basal tuft which becomes longer in summer, giving rise to 18 to 28 inch tall spikes of fragrant, fringed, blue-purple flowers, which begin in midsummer and continues until fall. Flowers open from the top of the stalk down.
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Liatris pycnostachya ( Kansas Gayfeather ): Fine grass-like leaves arise from a basal tuft which becomes longer in summer, giving rise to an 18 inch spike of fragrant, fringed, bright purple flowers, which begin in midsummer and continues until fall. Flowers open from the top of the stalk down.
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Liatris spicata ( Snow Queen Blazing Star:Fine grass-like, bright green leaves arise from a basal tuft which becomes longer in summer, giving rise to 30 inch tall spikes of fragrant, fringed, white flowers, which begin in midsummer and continues until fall. Flowers open from the top of the stalk down.
Liatris (Gayfeathers)
