Liatris, A Pollinator Magnet

by Pat Dickey, Fairfax Master Gardener
LiatrisNative to eastern United States, Liatris spicata grows in moist areas and is often found in meadows. It is a member of the Asteraceae family, the same as daisy and aster. It is a clump forming perennial herb that reaches 1 to 4 feet tall (30 to 120 cm), and it spreads 1 to 1/2 feet (30 to 45 cm). Its common names are Blazing Star or Spike Gayfeather.

Unlike most spiked flowers, it grows from the top down and has grass-like foliage. Liatris tolerates heat and humidity but also can be planted in some shade. It is low maintenance and likes a variety of soils with clay, organic matter, loam and sand. The soil should be acidic to neutral in pH. Liatris blooms in July and August. The flowers of the species are rose-purple and sometimes white and have a feathery appearance.

If you are looking for more pollinators in your garden, liatris is ideal in mass plantings, rain gardens, perennial borders and cottage gardens. I found that planting Liatris in my vegetable garden increased the yield of my tomatoes because of all the bees it attracted. Liatris is also a favorite of butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, songbirds and specialized bees.

LiatrisLiatris can be grown from corms planted in the spring. Bloom time is 70 to 90 days after planting. Space the holes 12 to 15 inches (30 to 40 cm) apart and 3 inches (7 cm) deep. Set each corm with its flat side on the bottom. In subsequent years, plants can be divided.

They can also be grown from seed started indoors or sown directly into the garden. Seeds can be collected when the flower heads on the entire stalk have turned fluffy tan. Air dry them inside. Shake or brush off nutlets from heads and store them in refrigerated sealed containers. Seeds do well with cold, moist stratification or planted outside in fall or winter. With stratification, seeds are exposed to cold temperatures and moisture. This weakens the seed coat. When spring brings the right temperatures and conditions, the seeds will germinate. It may take two seasons for blooms to appear when planting seeds.

These plants don’t usually require staking, and deer don’t favor them. They have no serious pest problems. Voles may eat the corms. Liatris does not like saturated soil but does like a moist environment.

White liatris

Liatris ‘Alba’

Liatris is also the host plant of the Liatris flower moth and the Liatris borer moth. There are a few cultivars for Liatris. Flowers from ‘Alba’ are white.’ Floristan Violett’ has tall spikes of bright magenta hues, excellent for cut flowers. ‘Kobold’ has deep purple flowers and is small and compact.

There are also other Liatris species that can be found in the eastern United States. Liatris pilosa has slender stalks and is found in dry sandy or rocky soil on pine sandhills, streams, fields and road banks. Liatris scariosa has extra large flower heads and grows in full sun to light shade. It is usually grown from corms, not seeds. It can be found in dry woods and clearings.

If you want to see Liatris growing this year, visit Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA or Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, DE.