How to plant and care for Liatris (Gayfeather)

Liatris spicata

🌸 Flower 🔁 Perennial

Upright, bottlebrush spikes of purple flowers that open from the top down, in July and August. A butterfly magnet and a long-lasting cut flower.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

On planting day
Plant
Plant the corm-like roots 5–8 cm deep, or a potted plant at the same depth as in its pot, in sun and well-drained soil.
0–1 days after “Plant”
Water In Well
Give a full can of water, then keep moist for the first few weeks while roots establish.
7–14 days after “Water In Well”
Mulch Around the Base
Spread 5 cm of compost or bark around the plant, keeping it off the stems.

March
Cut Back Old Growth
Cut last year's dead stems and leaves to the ground before the new shoots get going.
July
In Flower
Purple spikes covered in butterflies.