Liatris
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ly-AY-tris
- Description
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Liatris is a genus in the Aster family native to North America with at least 40 species and many cultivars available. They all consist of disc flowers without rays on a spike that blooms from the top down in pink, purple and white colors. Some are showier than others. The leaves are long, linear and arching and grow from a corm. Soil conditions depend on the species and most prefer full sun to light shade. Height varies by species.
Use these plants in the native pollinator garden to attract butterflies, bees and moths in the border, groupings or as a tall accent plant. Plant corms about 5 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart.
Few problems with diseases and insects.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Pollinator and Culinary Garden Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- L. liguistylis, L. microcephala, L. pilosa, L. pycnostachya, L. scariosa, L. spicata, L. squarrosa
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- L. liguistylis, L. microcephala, L. pilosa, L. pycnostachya, L. scariosa, L. spicata, L. squarrosa
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Liatris
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Bahamas and Northern America
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant for the Lepidoptera species including the flower moths Schinia gloriosa and Schinia sanguinea, both of which feed exclusively on the genus, and Schinia tertia and Schinia trifascia. Flowers attract various pollinators
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Bulb Storage:
- If necessary, store corms in cool, protected area. Refrigerate for extended storage (greater than 3 weeks).
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Cypselae (a type of achene) with stiff light brown bristles in fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Heads of disc flowers arranged on a spike in various densities depending on the species. Blooms from the top down in pink, white and purple. Has a bottle-brush appearance.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Basal linear grass-like green leaves
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green to purple round unbranched stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
