Liatris microcephala
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Tried and True Recommended by 1 Professional
Common Name: button snake root
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Zone: 6 to 9
Height: 1.5 to 2 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1 feet
Bloom Time: July
Bloom Color: Purple, Lavender
Bloom Description: Purple
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Birds, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Drought
Uses: Cut Flower

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerant of poor soils, drought, summer heat and humidity. Intolerant of wet soils in winter. Winter hardy to USDA Zone 6, so it should be grown in a protected location and given a winter mulch in the St. Louis area.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This blazing star species is a small, upright, clump-forming perennial which is native to the southern Appalachian Mountains and which typically grows to only 2' tall. Features terminal spikes of sessile, rounded, fluffy, deep rose-purple flower heads (each to 3/4" across) appearing atop multiple, erect, leafy flower stalks arising from basal tufts of narrow, grass-like leaves. 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.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Perennial border fronts, cutting gardens, wild gardens, native plant gardens or naturalized areas.

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