Liatris spicata 'Kobold'
Spike Gayfeather, Dense blazing Star
Also known as Liatris spicata 'Goblin'
- Height × spread
- 0.5m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Generally available in Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is an excellent plant for the late summer border with its chunky, lilac-pink flowers that are loved by bees. The handsome, upright stalks are clad in fine, linear leaves that arch out like bottlebrushes. One of the first things you will notice is that the flowers start to open at the top of the vertical spike and then move down; mostly, plants do it the other way about.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Pink, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.5m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Prairie garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Found in
More Liatris
Liatris
Gay feather, Blazing star, Button snake root
Liatris spicata
Spike gayfeather, Dense blazing star
Liatris ligulistylis
Strap styled blazing star
Liatris punctata
Snake root
Liatris spicata 'Alba'
Spike gayfeather, Dense blazing star
Liatris spicata 'Floristan Violett'
Spike Gayfeather, Dense blazing Star