Liatra spikyis a decorative perennial with characteristic, tall, club-shaped inflorescences that proudly stretch above a rosette of sword-shaped leaves. We suggest whatcultivation of spiky liathralooks like in the garden and what requirements must be met for this plant to bloom long and profusely. In this article, you will also learnwhen to prune the spikeand what is the best way to propagate this perennial.
Liatra spikata - Liatris spicata
Fig. depositphotos.com
What does the ear liater look like?
Liatra spikowa(Liatris spicata) belongs to the Asteraceae family and grows naturally on meadows and prairies in North America. It is the most popular of 40 species belonging to the genus Liastris.
This exotic looking plant grows up to 60-100 cm in height and is one of the most beautiful perennials reaching considerable size. Strong and leafy inflorescence shoots emerge from the rosette of long, thin, pointed leaves. Delicatethe flower baskets of the lyatraare gathered in a dense, cylindrical ear 15-30 cm long.
Depending on the varietythe flowers of the spiked liatrixcome in different colors: purple, purple, pink and white. The characteristic club-like shape of the inflorescence is caused by the unusual development of flowers that develop from the top to the bottom of the stem.
Liatra blooms for a long time , from July to October. Fragrant flowers attract numerous pollinating insects. This makes liatras also worthy of attention as honey plants.
Apart from attractive inflorescences, this perennial is decorated with leaves that remain green throughout the growing season. In the fall,the leaves of the ear liatratake on an intensely brown color. The underground part of the lyatra consists of bulbous, storage rhizomes.
Liatra spikata - Liatris spicata
Fig. pixabay.com
Ear liatra - varieties
The most famous varieties of spike liatrix are:
- Kłosowa 'Kobold'- creates lilafiolet flowers that appear in June and decorate the plant until October, it is a compact variety and slightly shorter than the species, up to 50 cm in height, therefore 'Kobold' can be planted slightly denser than the species and taller varieties (16 plants per 1 m²),
- ear liatra 'Floristan violet'- creates flowers in a light purple color, 45-60 cm high,
- liatra kłosowa 'Floristan weiss'- a variety of white-flowered liatra, reaches a height of 45-60 cm,
- spike liater 'Alba'- blooms from July to September, forms white inflorescences, reaches a height of 60-80 cm.
Varieties of lyatra with white and purple flowers
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Ear liatra - where to plant?
In flowerbedswe plant the liatra in the company of other perennials , both decorative from leaves and flowers. Most often, the liater is planted in the vicinity of lower plants, over which its decorative inflorescences will dominate.
A good neighborhood for the spiked liaterwill be: evening primrose, bellflower, pryhead, tawułka, daylilies, lavender
Dwarf varieties of pines and junipers are also a beautiful background for the lyatra. The thin, grassy leaves of the liatrix go well with the feathers, fescue, cassava and other ornamental grasses.
Liatry can be successfully plantedin larger groups. Then we plant them at a distance of 12 plants per 1 m². Recommendedplanting date for Liatra tubersis April, and planting depth should be 6 to 8 cm.
Ear liatra - cultivation and requirements
Liatra grows bestin a well-lit place. In a shady position, it grows poorly and blooms less effectively. It needs fairly moist, fertile, humus and well-drained soil. It will also cope with dry and less fertile ground, but it will require frequent fertilization and watering. This perennial does not tolerate clay, heavy and shallow groundwater.Liatra is completely frost-resistant(included in the plant frost resistance zone 5) and can be planted in the ground throughout Poland.
Liatra spikata - Liatris spicata
Fig. pixabay.com
Watering the ear liathrais not a problem. Thanks to the storage roots, the plant withstands short-term water shortages. During long-term drought, it is enough to water the plants when the soil around them is very dry. It is better to dry them a bit than pour them, as excessive watering of the liatr may lead to rotting of the root system.
Liatra should be fertilized 3 times a seasonfertilizer with phosphorus and potassium, e.g. with a special fertilizer for flowering plants with micronutrients.
Ear windbreaker in autumn
Fig. depositphotos.com
Shallow positionthe root system of the lyatra is easy to damageduring maintenance work. It is best to replenish the mulch around the plants on a regular basis. Thanks to the layer of garden bark or mature compost, the growth of weeds and evaporation of water from the substrate will be limited.
Spike windmill thickens over time , which may expose it to infection by fungal diseases.Therefore, we should rejuvenate the plant every 3-4 years.
Ear winder - when to trim
In the fall, when the ear liatr has finished flowering, the inflorescences are cut so that the wind does not spread the seeds all over the garden. At the end of the growing seasoncut off the entire aboveground part of the lyatra , right at the root. Liatra is frost-resistant (plant frost-resistant zone 3-5), but young, sensitive plants should be covered with a 10-15 cm layer of bark, mature compost or leaves after pruning in autumn. This will prevent them from freezing. If the climate is mild and the site is sheltered from winds, the plants will survive the winter uncovered.
Liatra inflorescences are often visited by bumblebees
Fig. pixabay.com
During flowering,the stems of the liatrix can also be cutto be used for bouquets. Liatra is often grown as a cut flower because its inflorescences stay fresh for a long time. Dried inflorescences of the liatrixare a great addition to many compositions and dry bouquets.
Intended for dryingcut the shoots of the liatrix , when about 1 / 2 to 2/3 flowers are unfolded. We tie them in bunches and hang them with ears down in a cool, dry room for 3-4 weeks.
Ear windmill - reproduction
The most common cultivation in gardens isbreeding varieties of spike liatrix , which do not pass on parental traits to the offspring if we propagate them from seeds. For this reason, it is best to propagate plants by tubers or by dividing carp. Since the plant blooms all summer, the correctreproduction date for the ear liatrwill be early spring - March and April.
Breeding liathra by division- if you have a 3-4-year-old plant, dig it out of the ground and gently divide it into smaller parts. Each of them should have at least one tuber with a diameter of not less than 2 cm and a strong root system.Plant the obtained seedlings immediately in a permanent place.
Propagation of lyatra by tubers- in spring, the tubers should be dug out of the ground and planted individually to a depth of 6-8 cm with a spacing of about 30x40 cm. Before planting the lyatra tubers, carefully inspect and find the recess. This will be the top of the tuber. If the depression is not visible, it is better to plant the tubers sideways.
Propagation of the lyatra from the seeds- the seeds can be harvested by yourself, because the plant sets them abundantly. After winter storage, they are sown shallowly in spring, in March or April. They germinate in a moist medium with a temperature above 12 ° C. Unfortunately, the obtained seedlings will only bloom after 3-4 years.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
