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Gay Feather Liatris

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
LY-uh-tris
Description

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:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#pink flowers#corms#fall interest#NC native#summer flowers#summer bulbs#pollinator plant#wildflower garden#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midsummer#bee friendly#host plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
L. liguistylis, L. microcephala, L. pilosa, L. pycnostachya, L. scariosa, L. spicata, L. squarrosa
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#lavender#white flowers#pink flowers#corms#fall interest#NC native#summer flowers#summer bulbs#pollinator plant#wildflower garden#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midsummer#bee friendly#host plant#perennial
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    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:
    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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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