I was given Liatris Spicata (gayfeather) by my best friend for my Bday in July. Very unusal plant whose flowers bloom from the top instead of the bottom. I had read that when it was done blooming you could prune it to the basil root. Now I've read more things that convince me most everything should wait until Spring to be pruned. It looks pretty sad, does anyone have this plant, is it pretty hardy, and did I damage it by pruning it too early?
I tried to start it from seed, had no luck, but I still have the seed packet, but it doesnt say how to prune it just says to cut off dead flowers to encourage new blooms.
I got some from Susybell at the last plant exchange. Am looking forward to having some in my garden this year.
Wow did it grow for you - that is a lovely dense planting! Well done.
Hi Vicki,
They are very hardy and will most likely come back...It has rhizomes underground, but it also seeds freely, so if you want more do not deadhead...If by chance it does not come back (because of our strange winter) let me know, I have more than my share and would be willing to give you a plant start...
I am looking for the white ones now to add to my garden, I love them!
Happy gardening,
Carla
Coco,
Yours are beautiful, although I only have 1 plant I must say the foliage on mine never looked so beautiful or full. As a matter of fact, your whole garden looks that way. Is it because last year was my first year, and all these plants are new? The pic I showed earlier is just a general pic. This is mine. If I come across a white one I will let you know, I would also be interested.
Thanks
Vicki
Good morning Vicki,
Thank you, yes new plants look shaggy at first, note in the picture the smaller one poking its head up that is a free plant...self sewn. I get more and more each year, but not what I call invasive, very easy to move. I have some that are well over 3' and very full, each year they get better and better as do most perennials.
Let me know come spring and we can work something out and I will let you choose some new plants from my free seeders...lol
The gay feathers are great a prarie plant so they like full sun and good drainage. It is getting time to where you can cut it back. I will keep my eyes open for the white. White is a hard color to find sometimes with no yellow in the flower.
Coco
I would like one or two.
Hi Cattle,
That's my problem, I read in a stray book somewhere to cut liatris back to basil foliage as soon as it was done blooming. So I ended up cutting it back beginning of fall instead of beginning of spring. Do you think it will be ok. I covered with some mulch for it's little roots. This being my 1st winter of gardening I do not see how ANYTHING out there in my garden could possibly morph into some of the beautiful flowers and plants I used to see, in their place. Probably won't believe it until I actually see them shed their ugly teenage gawky, awkward, ugly mask. Looks like alot of people are getting interested in the white liatris.
Thanks Vicki
Howdy Heidi,
I have so many free seeders of this plant, I have shared many already, but they keep coming and I love them! Very carefree plant and they add a lot of texture, wish they came in all colors.
Hi Tilly,
Sure you can have some....just remind me and they are yours!
Days are getting longer,
Carla
I used to work in linda cochrans garden for years and we didn't start working in the garden till probable february. I looked like hell but we pruned weeded and mulched and were pretty well done for year except for a little weeding and deadheading.. Heronswood started leaving the rotton leaves in the beds calling it rotting biomass that would add humas to the sail. Wow the moon is beautiful tonight.
Thanks Carla
