Prairie Liatris

Description

Botanical Name:  Liatris pycnostachya

Common Name:  Prairie Blazing Star, Prairie Liatris, Prairie Gayfeather, Kansas Blazing Star, Kansas Gayfeather, Kansas Liatris, Cat-tail Blazing Star, Cat-tail Gayfeather, Cat-tail Liatris, Hairy Button-snakeroot

Description:  The stems of this showy Texas native perennial are 2-5′ tall, and nearly half of this is the flower spike. A spike of rayless, rose-purple, cylindrical, stalkless flower heads densely crowded on a coarse, hairy, very leafy stem. Stamens and styles protrude from the purple, tufted flower heads, creating a fuzzy appearance. Flowers bloom from the top of the spike downward. The lower portion of the stem is covered with short, fuzzy, grass-like leaves that grows about 8-12″ tall. Blooms July through fall. Drought tolerant. Likes sun to part sun. Makes an excellent cut flower. One of the few Liatris species that grows well in very moist soils, but adapts to regular garden moisture levels. Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Special value to native bees. Leave the dried seed heads standing over winter to provide seed for birds.

This plant in 1-gallon containers is 8-12″ tall if it isn’t in bloom, and 2-3′ tall x 1′ wide if it is has flower spikes. It is gorgeous.

Hardiness Zones 3-9