Liatris spicata

Liatris spicata

Common name: blazing star, prairie gay feather

Family: Asteraceae

Leaf: basal tufts of narrow, grass-like, medium green leaves (up to 12" long).

Flowers: Terminal spikes (6-12" long) of sessile, rounded, fluffy, deep purple flower heads (each 3/4" across) appearing atop rigid, erect, leafy flower stalks.

Habit: rhizomatous herbaceous perennial; Form: upright, clumping

Height: 2'-4'; Spread: 0.75'-1.5'

Culture: Hardy in USDA zones 3-8. Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Somewhat tolerant of poor soils, but prefers moist, fertile ones and generally performs better in moist soils than other species of Liatris. Intolerant of wet soils in winter. Tolerant of summer heat and humidity. May be grown from seed, but is slow to establish. USDA zones 3-8.

Uses: prairie gardens, perennial gardens, en masse, accent plant as it is quite dramatic.

Origin: Eastern U.S.A.