Species narrow-leaved gayfeather
Cluster of pink, small, flowers with long pink stamens, and green stem

narrow-leaved gayfeather

Liatris mucronata

Narrow-leaved gayfeather, or Liatris mucronata, is a wildflower found throughout the southeastern United States. The flowers are short, cylindrical spikes, ranging in color from white to purple. It's an excellent choice for sunny, dry gardens, as it's very drought-tolerant. Its foliage is typically gray to blue-green, and the plant grows to up to five feet tall. Narrow-leaved gayfeather blooms during the late summer and attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. With its hardiness and ability to adapt to most soils, this versatile wildflower makes a great addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Root Cutting,Seed Propagation,Cormlet Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Narrow-leaved gayfeather (Liatris mucronata) should be watered every 4 to 5 days during the growing season when the soil is dry to the touch. During the summer months, it's recommended to water the plant deeply and slowly, to ensure the water is penetrating the soil and reaching the roots. In the winter, watering should be reduced to once a week. If the weather is particularly hot or dry, more watering may be necessary. It's important to be mindful of overwatering; if too much water is given, the plant may become stagnant and start to rot.

sunlight

Narrow-leaved gayfeather (Liatris mucronata) does best in sunny locations and requires at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. This plant should be planted in a spot that receives full sun and offers plenty of warm temperatures. When planted and grown in shade the plant will usually not flower. The plant should also be kept away from areas with strong winds as this may damage the plant and result in fewer flowers and a loss of foliage. In optimal conditions, Narrow-leaved gayfeather should bloom from July through October.

pruning

Narrow-leaved gayfeather (Liatris mucronata)should be pruned in late winter or early spring, when the plant is still dormant. Begin by removing any dead foliage, then lightly prune the plant back to about 2-thirds of its original size. This will help promote a new growth of foliage and flowers in the springtime. Avoid pruning later in the season, as this can lead to fewer blooms in the summer. Additionally, it’s important to use sharp pruners or loppers so that the cut is clean and does not damage the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Liatris mucronata typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Liatris mucronata typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map