What is the difference between a L. Gayfeather and a L. Blazing Star? I've been looking on the web and they seem to be the same. Are they?
Liatris
There's no distinguishing when dealing with common names. You need to find the species names to be sure what plants your talking about. The common names are basicly the same for several of the species ...
http://plantsdatabase.com/search.php?search_text=liatris&submit=Search
Liatris - Bazingstar rare natural growing in the wild at least the last I had read. "Liatris spicata var. spicata, a rare wild plant found principally in the southern Appalachians. Another variety Liatris spicata var. resinosa is similar but grows in the coastal plain region in moist pine barrens and savannahs." Anyway mine are these supposed rare native plants and here is a picture. How they came to be here and grow yearly in this climate I have no clue, but they were here before me and Ive lived here at this address for 7 years and have enjoyed this plant emencely. I would offer seeds but can not handle a bombardment of those wanting them. I also can not garantee growth because I have had no success at starting them from seed myself. Each ploom carries around 100 plus seeds. I've tried wintering them, faking the winter process and skipping the process and starting them in trays, but nadda.
This message was edited Oct 29, 2005 1:59 AM
This message was edited Oct 29, 2005 2:07 AM
Another pic of Liatris Blazingstar plant, a vigerous healthy grower.
This message was edited Oct 29, 2005 2:00 AM
I've grown the 'Floristan white' for many years. They are much taller than most, at 3 - 4 feet. They re-seed themselves but sometimes revert to the shorter purple ones. Very tough plants, easy to devide in very early spring and a nice cut flower too.
Andy P
Hi, pins-- I asked the same question last spring when I was curious about liatris...it seems like many use the common names interchangably to the extent that it is really confusing which liatris is which....
http://davesgarden.com/pf/search.php?search_text=liatris&Search=Search
All I really know is that I grew five kinds in my garden last summer and spicata and kobold were difficult to tell apart (and maybe there is indeed no difference) and the others were very nice among the daisies in the butterfly garden but were not as showy.
We will see what comes back next year...
Here's the thread from last spring.... http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/527540/
Here's a little more detail about the wildflower liatrises http://www.newfs.org/seeds/seedcat05-16.htm that gives some good detail.
And a pic of one of my late bloomers which I thought was a 'punctata', but now I'm not so sure! The monarchs really liked this one.
I think liatris are great for the mixed border and easy to grow companion plants for daylilies, for instance, but I think I must be in the minority, since I rarely see them growing in gardens, at least around here.
I am looking for the 'Violette' to add to my little collection next spring. And I think the hybridizers are working on liatris, and before too long there should be some other great hybrids available, too.
I've had the Floristan white for a long time.
They are real easy and bloom the first year from seed.
I don't see them too much either, usually the Kobold.
Andy P
tabasco - I've never seen one like that. When I was doing my research on the plant I only found pictures that were like my plant to include the needle like leaves growing out from the tightly bound flower buddings which were all like a cigar shape., and there are no branchings that grow on the same stalk. I'm sure yours is Liatris but which specie I'm not certain. I'll have to go to my local hort. society and runn through there catalog system. Anyway here is a close up pic during mid summer before this Liatris spicata var. spicata blooms and the buds are just forming.
Full view before buds bloom
tabasco - I found your plant it is: Rough Blazingstar - Liatris aspera
Here's a link to it
http://www.prairienursery.com/SpeciesASP/lapage.asp
Yes, that looks like it! I will have to post my other liatris pictures so that you can research them too! Thanks!
If I'm not mistaken, this is another liatris...
