Liatris spicata 'Kobold Original' (25) plants
Common name: gayfeather, blazing star, dense blazing star or marsh blazing star.
Zones 3 to 9.
Full sun.
Plants reach 14 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide; tall, upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial. Growth rate: Moderate.
Multiple spikes of bright, rosy lavender flowers open from top to bottom beginning in early summer. Narrow, opposite leaves are up to 10 inches long at the base of the plant and decrease in length up the stems. VEGETATIVE FORM is a shorter cultivar that offers uniformity in height. Stock is totally from division, not seed. Characteristics of this selection are the same as the seed strain, L. spicata 'Kobold', except that it grows only about half as tall.
Gayfeather grows in average, medium, well-drained soils. Somewhat tolerant of poor soils, but prefers moist, fertile soil; generally L. spicata prefers more moisture than other members of the Liatris family. Intolerant of wet soils in winter. Tolerant of summer heat and humidity. The roots of this genus are tuberous, and they may be lifted every few years and divided. When dividing use a sharp knife and keep at least one eye per division; dust newly cut ends with a fungicidal powder before replanting.
It is a suitable choice for southern gardens since it is very tolerant of hot summers.
Attributes: border plant, cut flower, dried flower and mass plantings. Attracts butterflies. Deer resistant |