Overview

Liatris spicata is a tufted herbaceous perennial in the genus Liatris, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Liatris spicata grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include prairie planting, wildlife gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, cut flowers and flower borders and beds. It is native to Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and South Carolina.

About

Liatris spicata, the dense blazing star, prairie feather, gayfeather or button snakewort, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to eastern North America where it grows in moist prairies and meadows. The plants have tall spikes of purple flowers resembling bottle brushes or feathers that grow 1–5 ft (0.30–1.52 m) tall. The species grows in hardiness zones 3 - 8, stretching from the Midwest to the East Coast, eastern and western Canada. It grows to around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Liatris spicata

About the genus

Liatris, commonly known as gayfeather and blazing star is a genus of flowering plants in the tribe Eupatorieae within the family Asteraceae native to North America. Some species are used as ornamental plants, sometimes in flower bouquets. They are perennials, surviving the winter and resprouting from underground corms.

Wikipedia contributors, "Liatris", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Liatris

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Liatris

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Liatris spicata size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Tufted

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

0.5-1 metres

Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Time to full height

2-5 years

Suggested uses

Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds

Native to

Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Liatris spicata

Propagation

Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn, Division in spring

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions