• Gayfeather or Blazing Star (Liatris)- Organic, Native Seeds
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Liatris Spicata

Gayfeather or Blazing Star (Liatris)- Organic, Native Seeds

Liatris spicata or Gayfeather or Blazing Star is a drought tolerant member of the Aster family has also been named “Colic Root” because of its use as a traditional folk medicine for soothing upset stomachs. 

Blazing Star flamboyant plant grows up to five feet tall and sports grass like leaves.  The flower heads consist of multiple tiny flowers which appear white or pale purple.   Liatris flowers cluster around the top one-third of the stem. 

Days to Maturity N/A

Packet Contains 2 grams

$3.50 CAD
$3.50 CAD
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Growing Liatris (Gayfeather)- Benefits and Instructions

 

 Benefits of Growing Liatris

  • Medicinal - Historically the liatris plant was used to treat kidney, bladder, colic and sore throats. It has also been documented that the dried roots were burned as incense to treat headache symptoms.
  • Pollinator - These big showy plants will have bees and butterflies swarming to your garden, they even attract hummingbirds.
  • Use in: Fresh cut flower, dried flower arrangements.
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Growing Instructions

Culture:

Sun Exposure: Full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Soil: Prefers well drained soil, will tolerate almost any type of soil condition.
Moisture: Water plants regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, liatris plants are fairly drought tolerant. DO NOT overwater; plants can rot if the soil is too moist
Planting: Liatris flowers are relatively easy to propagate and grow from seed, if they are not planted too deep and are stratified or winter-sown.  The seeds from all Liatris need to go through a winter in order to germinate.  So, you will have to either winter-sow the seeds or stratify the in the refrigerator in order to get a high germination percentage.  Liatris can be started indoors, lightly cover seeds with no more then 1/16" of soil. Plants grown from seeds generally will not bloom until their second year.
Spacing: Ideal plant spacing 8-12 inches.
Sow seeds: Sow seeds with a light 1/8-1/4 inch of soil

 

Harvesting:

 After the gayfeather plant dies back to the ground, cut back foliage and dead flower stalks back. Leave about 4” above the ground. Hang plants upside down to dry. Seeds can be collected by running your hands down the stalk. Store dried seeds in the refrigerator or plant during the fall for the spring.

 

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