Liatris
Gay feather, Blazing star, Button snake root
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 0.9m × 0.3m – 3m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There is always something slightly strange about these plants with their columnar flowering spikes that look almost furry, they are so close-packed with masses of tiny flowers. The flowers first open at the top of the spike and are in shades of luminous purple and pink, as well as white. They have a good season in bloom, starting around June and can go into September. These generally stand between 45cm and 1.2 metres but towering Liatris pycnostrachys may manage 1.6 metres when in flower.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Pink, Purple, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.5m – 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 3m
- Season of interest
- 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
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction, Bird 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
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
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 spicata
Spike gayfeather, Dense blazing star
Liatris spicata 'Kobold'
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