Plant for identification.

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Durgan, Aug 1, 2008.

  1. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    Durgan, Aug 1, 2008
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  2. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Liatris of some kind.
     
    Eric La Fountaine, Aug 1, 2008
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  3. Durgan

    Durgan Contributor 10 Years

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    Thanks. Here is more information.
    Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)

    http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?AIMWF 1 August 2008 Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)

    A perennial Liatris spicata is strongly drought-tolerant. I have both the Floristan white and Floristan violet, not quite in full bloom. Aka Gayfeather.
     
    Durgan, Aug 1, 2008
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  4. C8luvs2gardn

    C8luvs2gardn Active Member

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    Hi,
    Durgan, love seeing the photos of your garden - at the moment I'm especially jealous of your liatris. Can you (or anyone else who reads this) give me some advice on how to proceed with my poor specimen?

    This liatris was given to me a few years ago. It grew really well (sorry no pictures), but I had no idea it would get so big. I had to divide it when it got so big it blocked access to my composter. I gave one piece away and relocated the other piece to a sunnier spot in the garden (that was LATE spring 2007). However I think too late and the plant recovered somewhat but didn't bloom.

    Now this year it was looking very healthy and was starting to grow some flower spikes. When we discovered an infestation of slugs and earwigs throughout the garden I thought I'd take a closer look, and found a huge mound of sand up the middle of the crown of the plant. I brushed some of the sand away only to find out I had disturbed a huge ant farm (basic small black garden type ant). These pictures were taken yesterday, about 3 weeks after the discovery. The flower spikes are all bent and the foliage which used to be more upright is also laying flatter to the ground.

    I wasn't going to disturb it this year, but now I'm wondering if I need to due to the ant problem, and if so HOW should I proceed.

    thanks

    once
     

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    C8luvs2gardn, Aug 3, 2008
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  5. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    What's recommended here in Texas is Full Sun, perfect drainage, no irrigation and did I mention Full Sun?

    HTH
    Chris
     
    saltcedar, Aug 3, 2008
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  6. C8luvs2gardn

    C8luvs2gardn Active Member

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    thanks Saltcedar, I am preparing a new bed in the front yard which has western exposure. Although there is a large maple in front, it still gets hours more sun than the back. That being said, in previous years it was vibrant, thriving, upright. The only thing that has changed is the ant situation. Any thoughts, comments, etc. on that issue would be appreciated before I do the big move.

    thanks,
    Cate
     
    C8luvs2gardn, Aug 5, 2008
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