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Wand Liatris Liatris virgata

Previously known as:

  • Lacinaria regimontis
  • Lacinaria smallii
  • Liatris graminifolia var. racemosa
  • Liatris graminifolia var. smallii
  • Liatris graminifolia var. virgata
  • Liatris regimontis
  • Liatris spicata var. racemosa
Phonetic Spelling
LY-uh-tris vir-GA-tuh
Description

Grass-leaved blazing-star is a native perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family.  It is found in dry to mesic woodlands, rocky woodlands, openings, and roadsides in all areas of NC in the more southern counties. It is rated as a very high wildlife value plant.

It prefers sandy to rocky well-drained soils in full to mostly sunny locations. Use in the native pollinator garden. It is both drought and heat tolerant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#purple flowers#corms#native perennials#nectar plant#low maintenance#specialized bees#NC native#pollinator plant#food source fall#nectar plant fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#food source hard mast fruit#nectar plant late summer#nectar plant mid-fall#Audubon#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#purple flowers#corms#native perennials#nectar plant#low maintenance#specialized bees#NC native#pollinator plant#food source fall#nectar plant fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#food source hard mast fruit#nectar plant late summer#nectar plant mid-fall#Audubon#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Liatris
    Species:
    virgata
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeast USA
    Distribution:
    DC, DE, GA, MD, NC, NJ, PA, SC, VA, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Native bees are attracted to this plant. Very high wildlife value.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Achenes have tufts of barbed hairs in the fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Heads of frilly purple disc flowers are arranged in a zig-zag pattern up the stem from Aug.- Oct.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow oblanceolate leaves are basalar with some alternating up the stem. Lower leaves have hairs along the margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Green smooth unbranched stem.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil