Product Details
Create a vertical attraction in your garden while providing a helpful late-season food source for hummingbirds and other pollinators by planting Liatris aspera, which flowers later than most Liatris. Commonly known as Rough Blazing Star, this water-wise native of eastern and central North America is an upright, at least 2-3' tall, clump-forming perennial that generates sturdy flower spikes with fuzzy looking, reddish-purple flower heads from late summer to fall. The blossoms alternate and are somewhat spaced out along the upper stalk, giving this Liatris a distinctive silhouette. L. aspera favors drier sites and lean, even rocky soil. It is tolerant of drought and humidity and will prosper in meadow and prairie gardens, openings in wooded areas, and mixed borders where soil is on the drier side. It does not perform well where the ground is wet in winter. The species name, aspera, meaning “rough,” refers to the texture of the foliage as well as the look of the flaring basal leaves surrounding each flower head.
The genus Liatris, native to North America, includes about 40 species all beloved by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Their fluffy, somewhat star-like or feathery blossoms (from which the common names Blazing Star and Gayfeather derive) open from top to bottom on tall flower spikes which stand above basal clusters of attractive, linear foliage. Liatris make fantastic accent plants in summer-blooming borders and beds (appearing to best advantage when planted in groups), and they are central to any pollinator garden. The flower stalks are superb for cutting and drying, as well. Plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Depending on the species, they may tolerate moist or dry conditions. As members of the Aster family, Liatris are unusual in that their individual blossoms comprise only disc flowers, not a combination of disc and ray flowers characteristic of the composite blooms in this family (as seen in the common Daisy).
For more information on growing and care, click Growing Guide.
Shipping
HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED
The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.
WHEN WE SHIP
We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.
OUR GUARANTEE
We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet. Be first to Write a Review.
Growing guide
Latin Name Pronunciation: lye-ay'-triss
Plant in well-drained, even dry, soil. Liatris spicata 'Kobold' also tolerates damp soil in summer (it will rot in soil that remains wet through the winter). It is often difficult to tell top from bottom on Liatris corms; when in doubt, plant them on their sides. Remove spent flower spikes to prevent the appearance of unwanted seedlings.