Overview

Liatris spicata 'Kobold' ('Gnome') is a perennial in the genus Liatris, part of the Asteraceae family. It typically grows around 0.6 m tall and 0.5 m wide. Liatris spicata 'Kobold' ('Gnome') grows best in full sun, and tolerates sandy and loamy soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include borders, cut flowers and pollinator garden. It is native to Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and South Carolina.

About

Liatris spicata 'Kobold' ('Gnome') is a compact perennial that bears upright spikes of deep purple flowers. It grows to about 0.6 m tall with a spread near 0.5 m and flowers from July to September. Plant in full sun on sandy or loamy soils that remain moist but are well drained. It is suited to borders, pollinator plantings and cutting for arrangements.

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

In the garden

Liatris spicata 'Kobold' ('Gnome') belongs to the Asteraceae and is a compact cultivar of the North American blazing star, recorded from Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and South Carolina. The cultivar is valued for its upright, bottlebrush-like spikes of deep purple that appear between July and September and for its modest final size of about 0.6 m by 0.5 m. Choose a sunny, well-lit position with full sun exposure and a sunny aspect. It performs on sandy or loamy soils that are moist but well drained, and will tolerate wetter patches so long as roots are not waterlogged. Hardiness H7 indicates it is fully hardy in the UK; the plant also corresponds to USDA zones 3–9. Allow roughly 0.5 m between plants so each clump has room to flower freely. Liatris spicata 'Kobold' ('Gnome') suits the back or middle of mixed borders where narrow, vertical spikes provide late-summer colour and attract pollinators. Stems are appropriate for cutting, making this cultivar useful for summer bouquets as well as dedicated pollinator beds.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Liatris

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Wet

Aspect

Sunny

Exposure

Full sun

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Liatris spicata 'Kobold' ('Gnome') size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Height

0.6 m

Spread

0.5 m

Suggested uses

Borders, Cut flowers, Pollinator garden

Native to

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

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Liatris spicata 'Kobold' ('Gnome')

Cultivation

Prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates wet conditions; plant in full sun; drought tolerant once established

Pruning

Cut back to ground level in late winter or early spring before new growth begins

Propagation

Seed, Division

Frequently asked questions

More in the Liatris genus

• 
  Liatris asperaRough Blazing Star
• 
  Liatris aspera 'Alba'White Blazing Star
• 
  Liatris pycnostachyaKansas gay feather
• 
  Liatris scariosa 'White Spire'
• 
  Liatris spicatabutton snakewort
• 
  Liatris spicata 'Alba'White Blazing Star