Liatris Flowers

Perennial Flowers Liatris

Name : Liatris Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Liatris, (Liatris aspera)
Liatris Description

Liatris is a genus of 32 ornamental plants in the Aster family, Asteraceae, native to North America, Mexico, and the Bahamas.

Common names for the Liatris flower include Blazing-star, Gay-feather, Button, Snakeroot, Purple Poker, Kansas, Gay Feather, Spire and Spike. A common name from the past is Colic Root, referring to its medicinal use as an antispasmodic for intestines among other uses.

Liatris are perennial varieties that bear spikes of bright purple bottlebrush like flowers above green tufts of grass-like leaves in late summer. Depending on the variety the flower spike will be 1 to 5 feet in height.

The lovely Liatris is available in purple, lavender, pink, rose, white, and shades of blue and violet.

The Liatris is different from the rest of the aster family in that while other members possess ray like flowers, the Liatris genus has only fluffy disk flowers that supposedly resemble blazing stars. This is how the genus earns its common name “Blazing-star”.

Liatris proves to be a stately, colourful addition to your garden. Liatris is fairly easy to grow and thrives in the heat. Plant this splendid flower in well-drained soil and full or near full sun. You can also grow Liatris in containers and plants are best planted in early spring, or early fall. Liatris is fairly drought tolerant once it is established.

Liatris can easily be propagated using corms, seeds or leaf cuttings. Plants started from seeds take a longer time to flower and the leaf cuttings are also slow in growth but the corms are the easiest option. Plant corms from early spring to mid summer if you want blooms in the same season, otherwise corms can also be planted in fall for blooms the next season.

Liatris looks great when planted in large sweeps or drifts in informal settings; however, it works equally well in the formal garden when planted individually. The enchanting Liatris is known to attract Monarch and Swallowtail butterflies and bees, thus adding even more colour and a touch of fantasy to your garden.

The long Liatris flower spikes are unique as they open from top to bottom rather than bottom up as in other spiked flowers. This ability makes them an excellent cut flower, and as the old flowers at the top begin to fade, you can simply snip them off and the stalk will continue putting out fresh blossoms farther down the stem. The Liatris spikes add height, colour and texture to both fresh and dried flower arrangements. They are available commercially all year round. Liatris lasts for about two weeks in the vase if proper care is taken.

Liatris is an extraordinary flower that combines delightfully well with other blossoms for both contemporary and exotic wildflower floral arrangements.

The three most common Liatris varieties are L. aspera, or Rough Blazing Star, L. pycnostachya, also known as Prairie Blazing Star, Kansas Gayfeather, or Button Snakeroo and L. spicata which is hard to differentiate from the former variety. Other popular varieties include Alba with pure white flowers, Callilepsis, Floristan Violett with thick, violet-hued flower spikes and finally Kobold, which is a small, compact spike with deep purple flower heads.

Liatris Meaning

The exquisite Liatris symbolizes the meanings I Will Try Again, Happiness, Bliss, Enthusiasm and Satisfaction. The following verses truly portray the feelings associated with this enchanting blossom:

“Here lies the bliss of Liatris
As a memoir of those glad days
When colors of September covered the mosses
With its golden vibes
And somewhere deep in the greens
We saw joys passing by……’’

Liatris Mythology