Liatris Spicata

alfharris8 · April 2023

A friend has given me some of these which I said I would pot up for her but they are new to me so would appreciate some advice on pot size /number to pot.
I was thinking of using a 31 cm pot but the look as though they make quite big plants. Also, can they be started off in growing pots and be planted out later? Thank you.

Fairygirl · April 2023

Yes - you can grow on and plant out later. It depends what size they are now though as to what size of pot you use - are they just corms just now? You can put several corms into one pot too - they aren't too fussy. If they're already growing plants, a good guide is to just give them enough room for the roots to be comfortable, with about an inch more soil/compost round them in every direction.

I've just split a container of some I'd lifted from a bed last year. The pot was around 12 inches diameter, and they filled that, so I've got two hefty chunks which are now replanted. I've had them for a good few years though. I've also got a three inch pot of them from the same bed, which is just coming into growth - two shoots in that.

alfharris8 · April 2023

Thanks @Fairygirl. They are little corms so I will put some in pot and grow some that can be placed where my friend would like them. Much appreciated.

Fairygirl · April 2023

They're great wee plants @alfharris8, especially for giving that bit of height in a busy border, as they're nicely vertical, but the slugs like them when the new growth comes through, so you have to be vigilant

GardenerSuze · April 2023

Lovely with white Japanese Anemones.

Lyn · April 2023

I grew them from seeds but no sign of them yet, I think they may have died through this cold winter.

I love the way the flowers grow, open from the tops down.

Plantminded · April 2023

I've never grown these but they sound good for some extra height in a border. Is it best to buy corms and plant them now? Would you put groups together and if so what size of group would you recommend? I've also seen that they flower in August/September, do the flowers remain attractive after that or do you need to remove them? I'm short on space in the sun so need to be convinced of their worthiness!! Thanks for any advice and sorry to jump in on your thread @alfharris8!

Fairygirl · April 2023

I grow them in mixed sites - some are fairly shady, some are sunny. They don't seem fussy as to soil as long as it's reasonably free draining and doesn't water log. Most of mine have been in raised beds because of our soil/climate, but I've just put some in at the end of the pond where it's not great so I'll see how they do there. They're pretty adaptable though.
I've only ever bought them as corms or as a few in small pots already growing. I think the ones I have just now were a few 'sale' bags from Homebase - they cost buttons

I find they flower from about July here @Plantminded. Again - it'll probably depend on conditions though. I have clumps of white with the usual purple one - Kobold [?] with probably about half a dozen corms together. They multiply anyway. I don't like how they look when dying back though - I tend to deadhead.

Lyn · April 2023

I dead head as well, scruffy things.

As they open from the top down, the tops are dying before the bottom of the spike is open. Not my favourite flower, but good for the bees and butterflies so that’s their redeeming feature.

alfharris8 · April 2023

Anytime @Plantminded.
I almost did the same to someone the other day when @Silver surfer posted photos of a Viburnum. I had to stop myself asking if they had a nice one of a Deutzia Mont Rose in their collection of lovely pics 😁.

Silver surfer · April 2023

alfharris8 said:

I almost did the same to someone the other day when @Silver surfer posted photos of a Viburnum. I had to stop myself asking if they had a nice one of a Deutzia Mont Rose in their collection of lovely pics 😁.

I aim to please.
Deutzia hybrida Mont Rose..pics!

Liatris Spicata

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