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Liatris spicata

Also Known As

Liatris callolepsis
Serratula spicata
Blazing Star
Button Snakeroot
Gayfeather

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 2'-4'
W: 1'-2'

planting zones

3a-9b

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Liatris spicata plant details

Liatris spicata is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In summer purple flowers emerge. Attracts birds, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular - occasional water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Liatris spicata

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: asteraceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: purple blooms in summer
Uses: easy-to-grow

GROWING CONDITIONS for Liatris spicata

USDA Zones: 3a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - occasional

Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

To be visually interesting, gardens need diversity. Liatris is an excellent perennial for strong vertical lines and a long season of bloom. This purple flowering cultivar is related to the wild liatris that dots the western prairies (and cares for itself.) Plant a few trios of these inexpensive bulbs and enjoy watching this sturdy beauty develop into a dependably colorful clump. Why Grow Liatris? Easy care, happy in full sun locations Butterfly and bird magnets; add winged color to your landscape Flowers from July through August Excellent for cutting and adding to summer bouquets Manages high summer heat and humidity well Liatris is a clump forming perennial that blends well in mixed borders, native plant gardens, cottage gardens and cutting gardens. With insect and disease issues rare to nonexistant, this easy care, easy mixer belongs in more home landscapes.

By: Leafari

Mass these striking purple flower spikes for maximum effect. An excellent vertical for summer that works well with nepetas and the yellows of coreopsis and oenotheras.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Like a dwarf spicata, callolepsis is probably the plant that Kobold was developed from, compact and showy it is a good garden plant. ZONE 4

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Liatris spicata is a beautiful native species that is easy to grow and a staple of full sun gardens. Naturally found in lowlands, it prefers rich moist soil that drains freely; perfect for rain gardens! Highly attractive to native pollinators like bees and butterflies. These are descended from the 'Kobold' seed strain and are somewhat more compact than the species but not dwarf. These were growing intermingled with tall white liatris and a white may have snuck its way in, but the vast majority should be purple.

By: Botanophilia

Dense Blazingstar (Liatris spicata) produces bold purple flowerstalks late in the season after other blazingstars are finished. Excellent for attracting butterflies and Hummingbird Moths.?Dense Blazingstar prefers slightly moist soils, hence its other name, Marsh Blazingstar. It makes an excellent cut flower and dries well, too. Hardy to Zones 4 - 10.

By: Prairie Nursery

Blazing Star or Gayfeather. Tall spikes of purple flowers mid-summer. Very attractive to butterflies. Native to moist prairies and sedge meadows. Full sun. Zones 3-9