Gayfeather / Blazing Star

Botanical Name

:

Liatris spicata

Plant Type

:

Herbaceous perennial

Seasons

:

Plant in spring or fall; blooms in summer

Sun Level

:

Full sun (at least 6 hours daily)

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

65–85°F (18–29°C)

Soil Type

:

Well-drained soil; tolerates dry, poor soil

Hardiness Zones

:

3–9 (USDA)

Germination

:

4–6 weeks

P.H. Level

:

Neutral to slightly acidic (6.0-7.0)

Water/Irrigation

:

Water regularly during the first year; drought-tolerant once established

Fertilization

:

Generally not needed, but if the soil is very poor, apply a balanced flower fertilizer each spring

Habit

:

Erect, upright, unbranched

Propagation

:

Seed and division

Final Plant Height

:

2–5 ft

Spread

:

1–2 ft

Flowers

:

Tall, upright spikes of densely packed, purple (sometimes pink or white) flowers that bloom from the top down

Attracts

:

Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds

Uses

:

Borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, cut flower gardens

Companions

:

Coneflowers (Echinacea), yarrow (Achillea), and ornamental grasses

Pruning

:

Cut flower stalks back to ground level in late fall

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans and pets

Pests

:

Aphids, spider mites

Diseases

:

Crown rot (in poorly drained soil), powdery mildew

Fun Fact

:

The common name “Gayfeather” refers to the feathery appearance of the flower spikes

Confused With

:

Other Liatris species, as well as other purple-flowered spiky plants like Salvia or Veronica

Additional Info

:

The flowers bloom from the top down, which is a unique characteristic