Gay Feather

Liatris spicata

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moderately-fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July to August
• Hardiness: fully hardy

  
  Long-lasting spikes of pink-purple or white flowers appear from August to September above strap-shaped, fresh green leaves. The attractive, bottlebrush flowers open from the top downwards. This exotic-looking perennial will bring a vertical accent and late summer colour to the middle of a sunny border. It makes an excellent cut flower and bees and butterflies love it, too.
  

• Garden care: Protect the young shoots from slug-damage using beer traps or environmentally-friendly slug pellets. Lift and divide congested colonies in spring, applying a mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant.