Liatris??

Hello I purchased a package of Liatris Spicata (they are the purple variety) and I am wondering do these come back every year? There seems to be a bulb in this package actually 20 of them. Where is a good place to plant these?? do they become a bother replenishing every year?? How long do these stay in bloom?

Plant them about an inch deep in full sun a few inches apart in fertile, well draining soil.
They are very tough, will multiply nicely, attract butterflies and will re-seed themselves if you don't dead-head them.
I've had them for a long time without any problems.
They make these odd shaped 'corms' that are very easy to move when they are dormant.
Nice cut flower, too. Not fragrant.
Andy P

Mine also come back nicely each year. And Andy is right...they do like to reseed. More to share! Mine look nice for 3-4 weeks, but the birds like the seedheads once they turn brown and they even look a bit interesting even when they are brown.

Thripmaster, What kind of birds? I haven't seen that. Lots of Yellow Swallowtails, though.
I usually cut the flower stalk off after blooming to make a neat grassy mound.
Not that my garden is neat, LOL.
Andy P

Thanks everyone! We planted them along the front of the house I hope they will look alright this first year and maybe fill in a bit more in the next few years. I wanted to cover up the ugly Skirting on our modular home for now and we already have Daffodiles there but they dont last long so I am hoping these will be ready to come up not long after the daffs die.

Glad to hear the green Foliage will stay good after the flower has died too!

The birds get into mine too.
Liatris does better if sepatated every 3 years or so. Mine are planted on top of the ground, with almost nothing buried. They are a native to this country, relegated to the places with decent summer precip. They are easily transplanted and when the clump gets about as big as your hand, divide it.

I think the birds I see in mine are finches. Goldfnch and purplefinch.

I love liatris. Spicata has the darkest color and looks nice with moonbeam coreopsis and tiger lilies. Their heights and colors just go together. I also have pycnostachya, which is a taller light blue purple. I know they're supposed to take it hot and dry, but sometimes mine need a little water.