Full sun is best and well-drained soil is preferred to prevent rot, though the plants do prefer moist soil. However, the plants do not tolerate wet soil in winter. The plants can tolerant some shade as well as drought but need regular watering during the first growing season to build strong roots.
In gardens, Liatris spicata works well planted individually, as a border, and because of its vertical form, it contrasts well with mounded and broad-leaf plants. In informal gardens, large sweeps of plantings work well.
If amending the soil, the plants prefer soil with high levels of calcium and magnesium and low levels of potassium and phosphorus. Do not over fertilize.
Grows 12”-60”’ tall.
Liatris spicata is excellent for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects. These include butterflies such as the monarch, tiger swallowtail, clouded sulphur, orange sulphur, gray hairstreak, Aphrodite fritillary, painted lady, red admiral, and wood nymphs. The flowers attract bumblebees, digger bees, long-horned bees, leaf-cutting bees , skippers, and birds including hummingbirds.
Photo by onplants.ca, By H. Zell https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10602170,
Full sun is best and well-drained soil is preferred to prevent rot, though the plants do prefer moist soil. However, the plants do not tolerate wet soil in winter. The plants can tolerant some shade as well as drought but need regular watering during the first growing season to build strong roots.
In gardens, Liatris spicata works well planted individually, as a border, and because of its vertical form, it contrasts well with mounded and broad-leaf plants. In informal gardens, large sweeps of plantings work well.
If amending the soil, the plants prefer soil with high levels of calcium and magnesium and low levels of potassium and phosphorus. Do not over fertilize.
Grows 12”-60”’ tall.
Liatris spicata is excellent for attracting pollinators and beneficial insects. These include butterflies such as the monarch, tiger swallowtail, clouded sulphur, orange sulphur, gray hairstreak, Aphrodite fritillary, painted lady, red admiral, and wood nymphs. The flowers attract bumblebees, digger bees, long-horned bees, leaf-cutting bees , skippers, and birds including hummingbirds.
Photo by onplants.ca, By H. Zell https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10602170,
