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.