Liatris punctata

DOTTED BLAZING STAR

No WA

Liatris punctata
DOTTED BLAZING STAR

Liatris punctata is impressive.
Not permitted for entry to WA

Long large & late lances of rose & lavender

With particularly long and large spires of deep rose buds unfurling to fuzzy lavender-pink lances.
And a particularly handy and long blooming period over late summer and through autumn.
So it freshens the garden just as so many other flowers are gasping and wilting after the long hot months.

Wonderful cut flowers fresh or dried

Liatris punctata yields excellent cut flowers, and so is commercially farmed for the floristry trade.
Interestingly the flowers open from the top of the spike, down. So the stout spikes look like fuzzy lances. They are strong and straight stems fresh for the vase, and also dry well.

Tough & drought hardy

But Liatris punctata also gives a particularly hardy garden display.
Especially as it proudly struts it’s stuff in the late summer and autumn, when so many other bloomers are gasping in the heat.
Liatris punctata is noted for an ability to withstand heat and periods of drought.
The fine, slender foliage is a handy garden contrast as well.

Adored by bees & pollinators

The nectar rich flower spires of Liatris punctata are utterly irresistible to bees and other useful pollinators. And especially in a season when so many other flowers are off duty.

But not attractive to rabbits & deer

Fortunately rabbits and deer do not find them attractive.

Hardy low maintenance

Liatris punctata is a hardy, easily grown & low maintenance plant.
And reliably grown from seed to mature bulbs in quick time.
Once planted, the perennial bulbs are best left in the ground.
Where they will steadily increase and naturalize beautifully into neat, grassy clumps of foliage.
So there is never any need to lift and store these hardy bulbs. Instead just leave them alone to get on with it.

Frost hardy

Plant Liatris punctata in Full Sun to Part Shade.
And this hardy perennial bulb also tolerates frost well.

Water-wise & drought resistant

Liatris punctata is not a thirsty plant, so it is a water-wise choice if water is limited.
In fact it resents too much water, and so the soil must be very well drained.
Making it ideal for sandy soils and seaside positions.
Though otherwise the Dotted Blazing Star is not a particularly fussy plant and is easily pleased.
It is rarely if ever troubled by pests and diseases and can also tolerate limestone soils well.

60cm. High in interesting flower lances x 30cm. Wide neat clump of fine grassy foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Sow indoors at any time / or directly in garden late winter-spring.

INDOORS: Sow the seeds on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then press the seeds gently into the mix.
Now barely cover with sieved mix, as light helps germination with these seeds.

Continue to keep the punnet moist in a warm, well-lit place (not in direct sunlight).
Because temperatures of 15-20°C approx. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.

Seedlings emerge in 30-40 days approx.

But if the seeds are shy to break dormancy and sprout – then cling wrap the moist punnet & place in fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.

Then remove from fridge, unwrap punnet & return to warm, well-lit place at 15-20°C approx. Continue to keep moist.

SEED COUNT: 5 seeds per pack. (Seed of this hardy perennial is scarce this year).

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