Liatris

Family: Compositeae
Popular names: liatris, blazing star, gayfeather

Origin: Middle/North America

Flower colour: purple, white

Flowering period: July – August

Average plant height: 75 cm

Planting depth to base of bulbs:2-3 cm

Spacing between bulbs: 15 – 20 cm

Type of bulb: corm-like roots

Light requirements: sunny (AM sun)

Application

Landscape uses: very suitable for the border, but also recommended for beds and perennial gardens. Liatris has a spike-shaped flower. Better known as a cut flower from the florist than as a garden plant. The flower spike starts blooming from the top downward. The leaves are green and needle-shaped. Liatris likes moist, but well-drained soils.

Principal varieties

There are about 25 different species of Liatris. The main is Liatris spicata, which is purple. The other important species is Liatris pycnostachya ‘Alba,’ which is white.