Gayfeather for Garden Color
Gayfeather adds a new dimension to desert gardens
Gayfeather or liatris is a plant that is native to both western and eastern North America, but different species occupy different areas of the continent.
Gayfeather (Liatris punctata) is a long-lived perennial that is perfectly adapted to western and desert gardens. A native to southwestern Canada, western U.S. and northwestern Mexico, it puts forth a tall, one to three foot spike in early to mid summer. The spike can be purple or white, and the two planted together with coneflowers, artemesia and agastache create striking color, texture and shape to your garden.
Liatris punctata is the western version of about 40 or so species that are mostly native to the eastern parts of Canada and the U.S., particularly in the short-grass prairies of the mid-west.
Liatris loves full sun, but can tolerate some shade. The plant likes well-drained soil, and does not like its “feet wet,” which means that the plant does not do well in soggy ground.
It is drought-tolerant and will grow in slightly alkaline desert soil.
Desert gardeners who are interested in raising Liatris punctata can start the plant from seeds. Sow the seeds indoors where the temperature remains constant between 65 and 75 degrees. If you would rather sow the seeds outdoors, wait until spring, after all danger of frost has passed. Germination of the seed, whether indoors or outdoors, takes from between 20 and 45 days.
Do not expect plants started from seed to bloom in the first year they are planted. However, do expect them to burst into color in the second season. This is because the seeds are forming corms (or rhizome-like root systems) during the first growing season. Take care during that time though because mice (and voles) are very partial to the corms of the liatris plant.
Divide the plants every three to four years by digging out large clumps in springtime. Plant the divisions a foot and a half to two feet apart.
Butterflies love liatris and it is food for the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera, including the Glorious Flower Moth (Schinia gloriosa), Bleeding Flower Moth (Schinia sanguinea), Three-Lined Flower Moth (Schinae trifascia) and No Common Name (Schinia Tertia) .
The plant is hardy from USDA Zone 3 to 10, but it has been grown outside of these zones with varying success.
Liatris punctata is listed as an endangered species in the wild, so gardeners should never take wild plants. There are a number of nurseries that specialize in liatris seeds and others that have available plants grown from seed.
Plant Liatris with zinnias (Zinnia grandiflora), agastache (Agastache rupestris), Blue gramma (Bouteloua gracilis), Little bluestem (Schizachyrium saparium), side oats gramma (Bouteloua curtpendular) and Pasque flower (Anemone patens) for some really dramatic juxtaposition of color and texture.
Of course, in desert gardens and xeric gardens, always use mulch on your plants. Use a dry mulch in winter.
In addition to creating a focal point in the garden, liatris also makes good cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
Related articles include:
