Liatris are natives of the American prairies now quite at home in our gardens. The most common "domesticated" liatris is the Spike Gayfeather (Liatris spicata). This species has fine, grass-like foliage and usually reaches a height of three feet. Like all liatris, it has purple blooms, although white-flowered cultivars exist.
All liatris are very drought-tolerant, due to their extremely deep root systems - one species (Liatris pycnostachya) has roots that can reach 15 feet below the surface! Their seeds are beloved by goldfinches, so leave a few spent flower stalks for the wildlife when you deadhead.
Liatris are unusual in two respects: the plants grow from corms, like a crocus, and flower from the top of their stalks to the bottom, unlike most other stalked plants.
In the garden, liatris are extremely well-behaved. Because they arise from corms, they clump slowly and never run amuck. They may reseed gently if the finches don't eat all the seeds, but seedlings are never a problem since they're easy to kill. Besides, what garden can't do with a few more flowers?
The purple or white Liatris spicata here at Creekside are in one-gallon pots, with at least three corms per pot - something you're not likely to find elsewhere! Plus - they're on sale for 20% off their retail price!
Also blooming at the nursery this week are oriental lilies, black-eyed susans, coreopsis, perennial verbena, coneflowers, garden phlox and balloon flowers! | 
