Gayfeather, Blazing Star, Button Snakeroot

On Apr 7, 2017, RahT from New Cumberland, PA wrote:

Does anyone know.....If I planted this last year and it was a little too shady to bloom, can I dig it up this year (after over wintering in the ground) and transplant it to a sunnier area? Thanks!

On Apr 5, 2015, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

This is a durable perennial, attractive during its brief summer flowering, and makes an excellent cut flower. It does look bedraggled after it flowers, as its foliage deteriorates. If this disturbs you, cut it to the ground.

In the wild, this species is a wet-soil plant. It adapts well to garden conditions, but it is less drought tolerant than the other species in this genus.

I prefer L. scariosa, because it blooms later and its foliage senescence is more in character with the season.

"Button snakeroot" is the common name for Eryngium yuccifolium. 'Kobold' is a dwarf cultivar of L. spicata and different from the species.

On May 15, 2013, ItsMe123 from (Zone 6b) wrote:

After long-awaited, short period of bloom this plant goes into its ugly autumn look. The leaves turn black and dirty-looking. Especially ugly in the rainy weather. Never plant en masse.

On May 29, 2011, Bazuhi from Downers Grove, IL (Zone 5a) wrote:

Mine were ordered back in 2002 from Van Dycks and they do not seem to get as big as all the photos and discriptions claim.. but maybe back when I ordered them they said part-shade to sun. Maybe they really do not do well in the part-shade since that is where mine have been growing since they have been planted. If I locate mine coming up this year maybe I will take a chance and dig them up before they get too big and move them to a sunnier location.. Or maybe I should just order new ones..what do you think... but so far not all that impressed... I do have a photo of what they looked like in 2008, I had both the purple and white....

On Jul 30, 2010, Clary from Lewisburg, PA (Zone 6b) wrote:

Small bulb clusters put down deep roots the same season and have since divided readily. I have 2 patches, one in damp shade and one in dry sun; both are growing well. This plant provides a nice structure and texture for the perennial garden.

Regarding the comment that the plant is ugly in autumn, the seed heads are popular with goldfinches and maintain their upright form even in winter. I happen to like the wild, overblown look of autumn flowers, they are natural and beautiful.

On Jul 12, 2008, tommyr2006 from Poughkeepsie, NY (Zone 6a) wrote:

Liatris has become one of my favorites! Multiplies like crazy, not invasive though. I planted 3 plants 3 years ago and now have MANY more! I divides several last year to put elsewhere in the yard. Neat, clean habit. A MUST have IMHO! Bumble bees and butterflies LOVE it too!

On Jun 25, 2007, buzzbuzz77 from Urbana, IL (Zone 5b) wrote:

Liatris is the tank of the plant world -- it's almost indestructible! It produces beautiful purple flower spikes that attract all sorts of butterflies and birds year after year with little to no help from the gardener. It tolerates very dry conditions without supplemental water and grows large clumps that divide rather easily for propogation. It does self seed rather vigorously, but they are easily pulled up if unwanted. On the other hand, if you want more of this beautiful plant, the seedlings are easily transplanted - just stick them in some dirt and off they go!

On May 5, 2006, enya_34 from Madison, WI wrote:

Does very well plated in the terrace between the road and the sidewalk, which has poor soil and gets pretty dry. Shades out weeds and is a great butterfly attractor!

On Dec 8, 2005, bigcityal from Menasha, WI (Zone 5a) wrote:

A nice accent plant, native type plant. Does need a little more water than prairie plants - not to live, but to look good.

On Jun 14, 2005, rweiler from Albuquerque, NM wrote:

This needs moderate+ water in New Mexico , Zone 6a-8 otherwise it gets quite droopy, at least at 1-2 years old. I have just purchased Punctata from a reputable native plant nursury. It is supposedly much more suited and xeric for this climate. Don't get me wrong, with a bit of attention these are doing well in my garden in full sun (both bought in the gallon and by bulb).

On Jan 14, 2005, lmelling from Ithaca, NY (Zone 5b) wrote:

I have grown liatris (both Kobold and Floristan white) over the last few years - both from bulb and by potted seedlings. We have a fairly wet yard, being on the side of a hill with many springs running through our property - it's not always easy to grow certain types of perennials here due to the moisture content of the soil.

In most cases the liatris - although it prefers a drier soil - will live over and do well here in my garden; just as long as I remember to plant them so that they are well drained and in a rich garden soil (rather than directly in the heavy clay soil that we're plagued with). In drier, sunnier years they do better, but last year - even though we had an overabundance of rain and cloudy days - did grow and bloom fairly well.

On Jun 11, 2004, lady_fuchsia from Clarkesville, GA (Zone 7a) wrote:

I have this plant in the colors mentioned as well as pink. This is the third year since I've planted it and I am starting to find little plants popping up all over the place. I love it. It adds nice color and texture to my garden.

On Aug 7, 2003, Ladyfern from Jeffersonville, IN (Zone 6a) wrote:

The flowers do not last long enough in my opinion, but I like their fuzzy spikes so much, I have lots of them. The birds like the seeds, so I leave the seedheads. If you want to let it self-sow, watch for grassy-looking seedlings in the spring. They'll bloom the second year. It is wonderful combined with black-eyed susans and daisies.

On Jan 12, 2001, jody from MD &, VA (Zone 7b) wrote:

There are 40 species in the genus Liatris. L. spicata is low growing and desirable for cut flowers and for attracting butterflies and/or bees. The flowers are fluffy spikes, like a feather duster, are purple/lilac or white and blossom in late summer from the top down. Grows to a height of 2' with corm like rootstocks and tufts of foliage.

Best cultivated in low humidity areas, do well under most conditions sun, shade, moist. Thrive on neglect, minimum care and attention. Hardy zones 3-10. Propoagate by seed or division of clumps.