LIATRIS

Description

Satisfy your senses with Liatris! This perennial herb is known for its lighthearted visual appeal, given its (literal) exclamation point-like shape, effervescent colors and fun, feather duster texture. A native of Eastern North America, this versatile wildflower has been hybridized and cultivated in large scale for mass consumption as a cut flower and garden ornamental. Regardless of its ultimate use, Liatris can brighten up the outside of your home just as beautifully as it can inside.

Historically, Liatris served as a popular medicinal plant among Native Americans of the Great Plains, especially tribes of the Cheyenne. Its leaves and roots contained anti-bacterial properties that could help alleviate sore throats, backaches, limb pain and kidney diseases. Given its implications in folk medicine, many know of Liatris as colic root. Centuries later, towards the late 20th century, this blazing beauty was popularized among European flower breeders and gardeners. They blended Liatris with other species to maximize its attractiveness and hardiness, and then distributed the plants around Europe and the U.S. to private gardeners.

Depending on the species, Liatris stems may arise from a corm, rhizome or elongated root crown, and typically grow between 92-152 cm in height. Slender, grass-like leaves decorate the bottom portion of its stems, and small (usually purple) florets cover the top third of the stems in dense, spike-like clusters. An unusual feature of Liatris is that its flowers bloom from the top down, not the bottom up, unlike other spike-type varieties. Its flowers are also quite wispy, creating that fuzzy, feathery appeal that makes Liatris work so well as a filler flower. This attractive characteristic explains some of its common names: gayfeather (or gay feather) and blazing star. You can also trim a good portion off the top of a spike to bring inside for use in arrangements, and the remaining flower heads will continue to spur open!

A member of the Asteraceae family, the genus contains around 40 different species that can be found in almost every U.S. state east of the Rocky Mountains, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Their colors range from differing shades of purple and rosey-pink to white. The three most commonly available species include Liatris spicata, Liatris aspera and Liatris pycnostachya, and the most popular of the Liatris cultivars is 'Callilepis'. It typically features long, showy stems, making it an excellent choice as a cut flower. Other well-known varieties include 'Floristan Purple', 'Floristan White', 'Gloriosa' and 'September Glory' (purple flowers), and 'White Spires'.

As a native to U.S. meadows and prairies, Liatris flowers can be seen decorating cottage gardens and growing wild in grasslands, where they delight butterflies, bees and other insects. Among florists, Liatris is becoming a seasonal favorite for adding “vertical pizazz” and attention-grabbing color to summer arrangements. Its calming, usually purple tones nicely complement the colors of almost any other flower or plant. Also, when dried using a dessicant, Liatris will also retain much of its fabulous color—a big bonus for at-home floral creatives who prefer the longevity of dried arrangements.

Colors: Purple, white

Special Care

Select straight, sturdy stems with adequately long flower spikes. In pre-treated stems, the top 2.5–5 cm of flower heads should be open and show good color. Avoid stems with brown or black spots on the foliage.

When processing, strip any foliage that falls below the water line. Recut the stems about 2.5 cm at an angle (45-degrees) and hydrate them in water mixed with a commercial floral preservative (with up to twenty percent sugar) for at least two hours before storage or use in floral work. The sugar will help the flowers to open. And although not required, stems can be recut under running water or in a bowl of clean water. Cutting under water may reduce the risk of air pockets forming at the stems’ base and allows the flowers to absorb water right away.

Before use, cool stems for about three hours, and make sure there is good air movement between the spikes to prevent botrytis from forming. Stems can be stored at 34–36ºF (1.1–2.2ºC). The flowers along the spike are susceptible to botrytis and water stress, but are not ethylene sensitive; for this reason, always use floral preservatives with a fungicide.

Liatris is suitable for drying, but only when one-half to two-thirds of the spike’s flowers are open. Remove the foliage from the stems and hang them upside down in a dark, dry place with good air circulation. Liatris can also be dried with desiccants, such as silica; this method of drying allows the blossoms to retain their true color.

Fun Facts:

• Of all the native species in the genus, Liatris spicata is the most widely cultivated and commercialized species.

• Liatris features a quite unusual bloom form. Unlike most spike-type varieties, its flowers open from the top down, not the bottom up. This makes the variety work as an excellent cut flower; as the flowers at the top begin to wear, they can be removed easily and the stalk will continue pushing out fresh blooms farther down the stem.

• A member of the Asteraceae family, Liatris flowers are actually clusters of many small, individual florets located on one composite head. This is a characteristic prized by pollinators (including butterflies and bees)!

• Some species of Liatris were used by Native Americans in herbal medicines. Their roots were commonly used to relieve headaches, sore throats and pain from arthritis. Some tribal groups used Liatris seeds as a food source, while others used the plant’s leaves to treat upset stomachs.

• The common name gayfeather most likely comes from the plant’s feather-like flower heads. These fluffy rays are also supposed to resemble blazing stars, hence the common name blazing star.

• Liatris is used to symbolize feelings of bliss, happiness and joy (especially in romantic relationships). For these reasons, it is a common protagonist in wedding arrangements, Valentine’s Day bouquets and anniversary celebrations.

• During the summertime, in some parts of their native habitat, Liatris plants can grow up to 183 cm in height!

• If left undisturbed, some Liatris species can live for decades.

• Liatris is a relative of the sunflower and daisy.