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Cool Season Grass
Thrives in areas with cold freezing winters and hot summers.
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Plant Information
Like the other well-known purple hybrid name Kobold, Violet tolerates some shade, but it still prefers hot blazing sun and dry, loose soil.
Liatris: The Wildflower that became a florists darling. Whether you call it by its botanical name, Liatris or one of the more popular common names (Blazing Star or Gayfeather), you'll love this plant, just like hummingbirds and butterflies do. There are several species, all native American wildflowers, but the one most often seen is L. spicata and its also the one that's received the most attention from the hybridizers.
Blazing star has the odd habit of opening its fluffy flowers from the top of the spike down, instead of the other way around, as most flowers do. And even though it grows wild from Canada to Mexico, often in poor soil, it has some definite requirements. First of all, since this plant is a native of wide open spaces, it prefers full blazing sun, and gritty, fast-draining soil. Don't put it into super-rich mushy loam! In fact, if you do, the flower spikes may topple over from weakness. If you give it a hot, dry spot, the stems are always stiff and strong.
The Florists Darling In recent years, florists have discovered the dramatic look of this purple-spiked beauty, and have used it extensively in their more unusual arrangements, where its often paired with exotics like tropical ginger blooms or Bird of Paradise. The flower spikes are also big favorites for drying.
The roots are bulb-like, and you can start these flowers with seeds (from our Wildflower Seed Department) or perennial roots. Of course, developed roots are faster; Liatris takes two years to bloom from seed. Some of the perennial cultivars will even do well for you in partial shade, but be sure the plants stay dry most of the time.
| SKU | 3LIAT25 |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Blazing Star or Gayfeather |
| Botanical Name | Liatris spicata |
| Zones | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Mature Height | 36-48" tall |
| Estimated Mature Spread | 12-18" wide |
| Bloom Time | Mid to late summer |
| Planting Depth | Plant 2-3" deep |
| Ships As | Bulb, Rhizome, Tuber |
| Native | Yes |
| Planting Time | Spring / Summer |
| Soil Type | Clay Soil, Loamy Soil, Drought/Dry Soil |
| Soil Moisture | Dry, Average, Well Draining |
| Advantages | Deer Resistant, Attract Butterflies, Attract Hummingbirds, Cut Flowers, Native, Dried Flowers, Plants for Small Spaces |
| Ships to Hawaii, Alaska & Canada | No |
Planting & Care
Shipping
Shipping begins in late March based on ground temperatures, warmest zones first.
As soon as your order is placed you will receive an order confirmation email that will include your shipping information. We ship perennials and spring-planted bulbs at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennials and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you need express shipping or have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (877) 309-7333 or contact us by email.
You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Your order is scheduled to arrive at your door, fresh and ready to plant, usually within 3-5 days of leaving our warehouse, depending on your shipping address. We pack our plants to withstand up to 10 days in transit, in the event transit is delayed. We cannot guarantee arrival on a specific day. Please make sure to open your package upon receipt and follow the instructions included.
Reviewsby PowerReviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsAmerican MeadowsLiatris spicata Violet
(based on 7 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
71%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
No Pros
Cons
No Cons
Best Uses
No Best Uses
- Primary use:
- Personal (3)
Reviewed by 7 customers
Displaying reviews 1-7
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Attractive
- Hardy
- Healthy
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden
Comments about American Meadows Liatris spicata Violet:
This is the first time I have ever purchased and grown liatris. I had seen them in gardens and thought they were beautiful. The ones I planted this year all grew and the blooms were wonderful. I can't wait to see how they will look next summer.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
Cons
- Grew Too High They Lean
Best Uses
- Garden
Comments about American Meadows Liatris spicata Violet:
Wasn't expecting flowers to grow so high !
Then with the height they lean over and very unattractive
- Primary use:
- Personal
Comments about American Meadows Liatris spicata Violet:
Half the bulbs in the bag were moldy and soft, did not grow. The ones still alive grew lots of leaves but never flowered. Might flower next year if they survive the rabbits.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Comments about American Meadows Liatris spicata Violet:
I love that these thrive in sandy, dry soil!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- PERFECT
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- Fill In Empty Spots
Comments about American Meadows Liatris spicata Violet:
This flower is perfect for spots where you need to fill in and it stays true to its form. Absolutely beautiful!
Pros
- Flowered First Summer
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- landscape
Comments about American Meadows Liatris spicata Violet:
These Liatris were a show stopper for the garden in front of a cyclone fence, with a city sidewalk. Everyone that passed asked me about them when I was outside. Many felt they were a beautiful asset to the scenery.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Long Lasting
- Low maintainence
Cons
Best Uses
- Any where in the garden
Comments about American Meadows Liatris spicata Violet:
I think 24 out of 25 bulbs bloomed if not all bloomed which is great. Color is exactly what I wanted. I planted some on my sunny front yard and some in my sunny/shade backyard. The ones on front yard are much taller, bigger and fuller than the ones at the backyard. The ones in the backyard are still very beautiful. Foliage looks really great even before blooming time. Very crisp shiny green. People wonder what it is. They are taller and fuller than picture shown on web. I have some white ones planted last year and they are even taller this year. Not a neg comment, it's a good fill, provide great colors for your yard, lasted pretty long time. I just don't know if I am supposed to deadhead or not. I read online/blogs that some people do and some people don't.
Displaying reviews 1-7
Q & A
Plant With These:
USDA Hardiness Planting Zones
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
- If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
- If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).
Find Your Planting Zone:
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Merchant response: We sincerely apologize that the Liatris spicata Violet did not meet your expectations. There can be many variables in gardening that affect how a particular plant grows. In the case of this Liatris it is common for the flower stalks to reach heights of about four feet tall. They prefer intense full sun and dry, quick draining soil in order to develop strong rigid stalks. If planted in very moist and rich loamy soil, or in too much shade, they tend to grow weaker stalks and bend under their own weight. We keep in mind are committed to our customers success. As no contact information was left with your review, please contact us at your convenience and we will be more than happy to go over some things that you can do to help your plants be more successful. Happy Gardening!