Read 'Plant Profile: Gayfeather (Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Gayfeather is one tough plant! It can take heat, cold, drought, or poor soil and still come through with its tall fuzzy purple flower spikes. The plant first makes its appearance in spring as a tuft of grass-like leaves. Later, a leafy spike appears bearing the flower buds. It provides a strong vertical accent in the garden (or in a vase arrangement), and looks great in drifts or small clumps. The species is a North American wild flower native to a large part of the U.S. so it is especially pleasing in a meadow garden.

Type: Herbaceous perennial.

Bloom: Lavender purple flowers are borne on tall spikes in mid summer. The buds open at the top of the spike first and continue opening downward.

Size: 18-30” H x 24”W.

Light: Full sun.

Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained, average soil but tolerates much less.

Hardiness: Zones 3-9.

Care: Cut flowering spikes to the basal tuft of leaves when blooming has finished in order to freshen up the garden.

Pests and Diseases: Generally pest free but can be attacked by powdery mildew in late season when humidity and heat are high especially if stressed by drought.

Propagation: Dig up corms in the fall and divide with a sharp knife to increase the number of plants, but division not necessary. Can be grown from seed but may not come true.

Companion plants: Goldenrod (Solidago spp.), Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm), coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Boltonia asteroids, daylilies (Hemerocallis hybrids) and various grasses such as feather reed grass (Calamagostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) or fountain grass (Pennisetum sp.).

Comments: Attracts bees, butterflies and birds. Great cut flower.

Read 'Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus)' at http://www.KarensGardenTips.com.

Persian buttercup

Type: Tuber.

Bloom: Wide range including shades of pink, rose, yellow, gold, salmon, tangerine, and white.

Size: 12”-18” H x 12″ W.

Light: Full sun.

Soil: Moist, well drained sandy soil; do not let the soil dry out; cease watering when the foliage turns yellow and the plant goes into dormancy.

Fertilizer: Fertilize regularly while blooming.

Hardiness: Zones 8-10.

Care: Allow foliage to ripen after flowering ceases until leaves are yellow and die back. Foliage may then be removed. Dead head regularly to sustain bloom.

Pests and Diseases: Aphids, birds.

Propagation: Divide tubers.

Outstanding Selections: R. asiaticus ‘Tecolote Giants’ (18”) ; Blooming dale stain is shorter (10”).

Comments: Each tuber can produce 5 or 6 dozen flowers up to 4 at a time throughout the season so pick as many flowers as you want because picking them stimulates the plant to produce more. The flowers are absolutely gorgeous and have a long vase life.