Liatris aspera Gayfeather
About Our Plants
Rare Roots ships live, growing plants in one-quart pots all over the continental US. The rare exception is our slightly smaller 3.5" inch pot, which will be labeled on a few product pages.
The plants are not guaranteed to be blooming when they arrive, and the foliage may need to be trimmed before shipping to fit them in the box safely.
Our Guarantee:
Our plants are guaranteed to arrive safely in a suitable condition for planting. If they are damaged or if you have concerns, please inform us right away by emailing info@rareroots.com. Even if you are planning to wait and see if it recovers, we need to document the damage on your order.
We are not able to offer warranties or extended guarantees on plants due to the sheer number of variables that can affect their growth and survival.
About Perennials:
Our plants are grown on our 30-acre outdoor nursery in Virginia (available by mail-order only). They are all considered "perennial" if planted within their preferred zone range.
Perennials planted in the coldest zone listed are considered "tender perennials", and may not overwinter in a severe winter. For example: if a plant is rated for zones 7-10, it would be a tender perennial in zone 7. It's best to plant these in spring or early summer, and preferably in a protected area (such as the South side of building).
You can find your growing zone here: [USDA website]
Description
Liatris aspera, also known as Gayfeather, forms clumps of coarse, grass-like leaves and produces tall spikes of 1" lavender, tassel-like flowers in summer. Liatris aspera is long blooming and will re-bloom if cut back. Coarser in texture than Liatris spicata, it is equally attractive to pollinators, including several types of butterflies and bees. The seeds are a real treat for goldfinches.
A perennial native to the central and eastern United States, upward into Canada, Liatris aspera is commonly found in dryish soils of prairies, open woods, and meadows, as well as on roadsides and along railroad tracks.
Sometimes called Rough Blazing Star or Button Blazing Star, it is a wonderful plant for meadows, pollinator gardens, and other naturalistic plantings.
Liatris aspera prefers full sun and dry to medium moisture soils that are well-drained. Gayfeather will tolerate poor, rocky, shallow soil. Liatris are interesting in that their bloom stalks open from the top down. Most are nice for cutting.
Characteristics
- Common Names: Gayfeather
- Zones: 4-9
- Light Requirements: Full Sun to Light Shade
- Soil Preference: Prefers moist, well-drained soil
- Height at Maturity: 30-36
- Width at Maturity: 15-18
- Bloom Color: Purple
- Bloom Time: Middle to late summer
- Foliage Color: Green
Special Features
- Attracts: Butterflies. Hummingbirds. Pollinators.
- Tolerates: Deer. Coastal Conditions. Drought.
- Other Features: Cut Flower. Native to North America.
Care and Growing Tips
Check out our blog for more gardening tips!
Shipping Info
We have started shipping to most growing zones. If your zone says "started" in the schedule below, you can expect your plants to ship within eight days of placing the order. You'll receive a tracking number when the order ships.
Spring 2024 shipping schedule:
- Zones 10-6: Already started
- Zone 5: Starting May 6th
- Zones 4-2: Starting May 13th
If you wish to receive your plants earlier than what's on this schedule, please send us an email after you place the order. Please note that we only ship on Mondays and Tuesdays for the safety of the plants in transit.
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We ship via UPS or USPS (the Post Office), and their ship rates are automatically generated through our site. We do not profit on shipping costs. We are working with these providers to get our customers the best rates possible.
All ship times are subject to change if extreme weather conditions are present here at the nursery or at the shipping destination.
Please note: Depending on the time of year, the foliage of the plants may be trimmed to fit into our shipping boxes. This could delay the flowering of the plant, but many perennials actually benefit from being cut back.
We are currently not able to ship to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and outside of the US.