Location: Wildlife Plant Design

Names:

• Common Name: Gayfeather
• Botanical Name: Liatris spp.
• AKA: Blazing Star, Kansas Gayfeather, Texas Gayfeather

Description: The stems of this showy perennial are 2-5 ft. tall, and nearly half of this is the flower spike. A spike of rayless, rose-purple (rarely white), cylindrical, stalkless flower heads densely crowded on a coarse, hairy, very leafy stem. Stamens and styles protrude from the purple, tufted flower heads, creating a fuzzy appearance. Flowers bloom from the top of the spike downward. The lower portion of the stem is covered with short, fuzzy, grass-like leaves.

Best Growing Conditions: full sun; low water demand

Landscape use: Deer resistant, moon garden/night accent, salt tolerant

Wildlife Value: for bees, birds, and butterflies