PlantFiles: Gay Feather, Dense Blazing Star Liatris spicata 'Kobold'
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Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
Danger: N/A
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Mid Summer Late Summer/Early Fall Mid Fall
Foliage: Herbaceous
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting: Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
On Jun 23, 2009, kbaumle from Northwest, OH (Zone 5b) wrote:
This year, after leaving the seed heads last fall for the birds, I had thousands of seedlings all over the garden. NEVER will I do that again! They're easy to pull out, but oh my.....so many and everywhere!
On Feb 6, 2007, Bellisgirl from Spokane, WA wrote:
Ive had mine for well over five years. It has now formed a nice mound that is 2-and a half feet tall and wide. The flowers are tall and spiky, and are beautiful neon purple color, and bloom from the bottom up. The flowers do not last very long, but are wonderful at attracting hummingbirds. Mine thrives in partial sun, with average moisure. The dark green, spiky foliage is also lovely.
On May 19, 2006, SisterClay from Hurst, TX (Zone 7b) wrote:
I really like this plant. It is planted in a very hot very dry location and does wonderfully.
It dies down in the winter and doesn't start to grow back until late spring. It was mid to late April before mine began to grow back--I almost thought it wasn't coming back. But as with most perennials, it is thicker and more beautiful than it was the first year.
On Nov 12, 2004, lmelling from Ithaca, NY (Zone 5b) wrote:
I've grown the 'Kobold' variety for many years. It appears very hardy and will grow happily as long as it has well drained soil and full sun. I transplanted several plants that were being overcome by a juniper on steroids, and they are now, again growing well in their new home.
Kobold makes nice dried flowers for arrangements. Cut when the flowers have opened about 3/4 of the way up to the top and air dry.
On May 14, 2004, tacm from Mansfield, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:
I have grown this plant in the DFW area for 3 years. It is against the house and facing east, an area that tends to be hot and dry. It survived several days of snow and ice last year. After being completely overcome with a pyrethum mix to exterminate bees that had invaded the outside wall, it died to the ground and rose up this year bigger and better than ever. I love the contrast of the fine foliage with my Coneflowers and Spirea.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
, Washington D.c., Pelsor, Arkansas Aptos, California Bay Point, California Colorado Springs, Colorado Lakeside, Colorado Panama City, Florida Cordele, Georgia Algonquin, Illinois Chicago, Illinois Crestwood, Illinois Godfrey, Illinois Lake In The Hills, Illinois Plainfield, Illinois Springfield, Illinois Washington, Illinois Waukegan, Illinois Galena, Indiana Rossville, Indiana Inwood, Iowa Nichols, Iowa Olathe, Kansas Hanson, Kentucky Hebron, Kentucky Coushatta, Louisiana New Iberia, Louisiana Falmouth, Maine Brookeville, Maryland Blissfield, Michigan Owosso, Michigan Pinconning, Michigan Royal Oak, Michigan Albertville, Minnesota Delano, Minnesota Farmington, Minnesota Florence, Mississippi Cayuga Heights, New York Elizabeth City, North Carolina Haviland, Ohio Harrah, Oklahoma Hugo, Oklahoma Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Butler, Pennsylvania Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania West Goshen, Pennsylvania Knoxville, Tennessee Memphis, Tennessee College Station, Texas Dalworthington Gardens, Texas Houston, Texas Hurst, Texas Santa Fe, Texas Sugar Land, Texas Salt Lake City, Utah Leesburg, Virginia Woodbridge, Virginia Kalama, Washington Seattle, Washington Town And Country, Washington Delavan, Wisconsin Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin Washburn, Wisconsin
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