Additional information
| Weight | 1 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4 × 4 × 4 in |
| Height | |
| Light | |
| Moisture | |
| Blooms | |
| Zones | |
| Color | |
| Spacing | |
| Spread |
Liatris spicata – ‘Kobold’ Dwarf Gayfeather
$6.50
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers moist, fertile soils. Tolerant of poor soils, drought, summer heat and humidity. Intolerant of wet soils in winter.
Noteworthy Characteristics
This blazing star cultivar is a small, compact, upright, clump-forming perennial which typically grows 2-2.5′ tall. Features terminal spikes (6-15″ long) of sessile, rounded, fluffy, deep purple flower heads (each to 3/4″ across) appearing atop rigid, erect, leafy flower stalks. Multiple stalks arise from basal tufts of narrow leaves (to 10″). Flowers generally open top to bottom on the spikes. Blooms in summer. Liatris belongs to the aster family, with each flower head having only fluffy disk flowers (resembling “blazing stars”) and no rays.
Out of stock
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Liatris spicata – Dense Blazingstar
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Somewhat tolerant of poor soils, but prefers moist, fertile ones and generally performs better in moist soils than most other species of Liatris. Intolerant of wet soils in winter. Tolerant of summer heat and humidity. May be grown from seed, but is slow to establish.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Blazing star (also commonly called dense blazing star or marsh blazing star) is a tall, upright, clump-forming perennial which is native to moist low grounds, meadows and marsh margins. In Missouri, it has only been found in Oregon County on the Arkansas border (Steyermark). It typically grows 2-4′ tall in cultivation, but can reach a height of 6′ in some parts of its native habitat. Features terminal spikes (6-12″ long) of sessile, rounded, fluffy, deep purple flower heads (each to 3/4″ across) appearing atop rigid, erect, leafy flower stalks. One or more stalks arise from a basal tuft of narrow, grass-like, medium green leaves (to 12″ long). Stem leaves gradually decrease in size toward the top. Blooms in summer. Liatris belongs to the aster family, with each flower head having only fluffy disk flowers (resembling “blazing stars”) and no ray flowers. The feathery flower heads of liatris give rise to another common name of gayfeather. See also L. spicata‘Kobold’ which is a popular compact cultivar that is less likely to need staking than the species.
Available May – Mid May 2017
Asclepias viridis – Spider Milkweed
Spider Milkweed is also commonly known as Green Antelopehorn Milkweed. In Texas, it is quite common and is considered an important food source for the Monarchs as they start their spring migration northward. Spider Milkweed has a native range of Texas north to Nebraska and eastward as far as West Virginia and South Carolina. It can be found along roadsides, ditches, prairies, open areas, and other areas with little vegetative competition. This species tends to be short (12 inches) with multiple stems emerging from the root crown of mature plants. Taller, more erect plants, usually with one or a few stems, can be found in moist prairies. Spider Milkweed features rose-white flowers surrounded by green that form in showy umbellated clusters, often one per plant.
Available – May 2017
Eupatorium perfoliatum – Boneset
Growing in moist conditions, Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset) produces flat to roundish heads of white flowers. The stem is covered with long spreading hairs with leaves that are often joined at the base, appearing to surround the stem. Many different insect species are attracted to the flowers as the nectar is relatively easy to access.
Eupatorium fistulosum – Joe Pye Weed
Joe Pye weed or trumpetweed – Available for shipping mid May
(syn. Eutrochium fistulosum)
Trumpetweed is a robust, upright perennial with hollow purple stems accented by huge, rounded, tight clusters of pink or purplish-mauve flowers. It is an important pollen and nectar plant and attracts butterflies (particularly the swallowtail butterfly) and other pollinaters by the dozens. Its height makes it an excellent backround plant in border perennial beds, but is also majestic standing alone. Flower color is darker in cooler weather.
Joe Pye weed Interesting Notes
The genus Eupatorium is named after Mithridates VI Eupator (c. 120-63 BC) the most powerful king of Pontus, who may have used a plant in the genus as a remedy, or perhaps an antidote, as he was known to have ingested small amounts of many types of poison in order to attain immunity. The species name fistulosum refers to the hollow stem. The Joe Pye of the common name is that of a character in 19th-century New England who may have been a Native American healer (real name Zhopai?) or a white promoter of Indian themes. At any rate he is credited with using Joe-Pye Weed to cure settlers of typhus by sweating them.
Eupatorium fistulosum Growing and Maintenance Tips
Moist or wet soil is preferred, although Joe Pye Weed is known to grow just about anywhere. Spreads by underground rhizomes. Eupatorium is most typically propagated by division but is just as easily transplanted. Division, as well as thinning should be done frequently to ensure vigorous growth and reduce spread. Cuttings may also be rooted. Eupatorium ssp. in general benefit from fertilization throughtout the growing season. Staking is also helpful for support.
