Liatris Companion Plants: What to Grow and Avoid

Liatris, known by the common names Blazing Star or Gayfeather, adds a distinct vertical element to gardens with its tall, feathery flower spikes. These North American native plants attract a wide range of pollinators, including butterflies and bees. Selecting appropriate companion plants is a method for developing a visually appealing and balanced garden. By pairing Liatris with plants that have similar needs, a gardener can foster a thriving, low-maintenance environment.

Understanding Liatris Growing Needs

To select the right partners for Liatris, it is important to understand its preferred living conditions. These plants are native to prairies and meadows, which dictates their requirements for sun, soil, and water. Any plant chosen to grow alongside Liatris should prosper under the same circumstances.

A location with full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, is necessary for Liatris to flourish. These plants have adapted to open, sun-drenched environments and will produce the sturdiest stems and most prolific blooms. In shadier spots, the flower stalks may become weak and bend.

The most significant requirement for Liatris is well-drained soil. The plant grows from a corm, which is susceptible to rot if it sits in waterlogged soil, especially during winter. It performs well in average to poor soils and does not require rich amendments, as overly fertile conditions can cause the tall stalks to become floppy. Once established, it is drought-tolerant.

Best Perennial Companions for Liatris

Pairing Liatris with perennials that share its cultural needs creates a self-sustaining and attractive garden bed. The contrast in form and color between different species can produce a dynamic visual effect.

• Coneflower (Echinacea) is a classic prairie plant whose wide, daisy-like blooms offer a pleasing contrast to the vertical, spiky form of Liatris, creating textural diversity.
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) offers a striking color combination with its golden-yellow flowers blooming around the same time as the purple spires of Liatris.
• Yarrow (Achillea) provides flat-topped flower clusters that contrast well with Liatris’s vertical form, and its feathery foliage adds another layer of texture.
• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) complements Liatris with its silvery foliage and airy, lavender-blue flower spikes, creating a cool-toned, harmonious look.
• Coreopsis, also known as Tickseed, presents cheerful, daisy-like flowers and is very drought tolerant, making it another suitable partner.

Adding Ornamental Grasses for Texture

Incorporating ornamental grasses with Liatris introduces unique texture, movement, and structure. The fine foliage of grasses contrasts with the bold, upright flower spikes of Liatris, creating a look reminiscent of a natural prairie. These grasses also offer year-round interest, with their foliage and seed heads persisting into the winter.

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a native prairie grass that is a perfect match for Liatris. It has an upright habit that complements the vertical form of Liatris and boasts blue-green foliage that turns to a striking bronze-orange in the fall. It thrives in the same full sun and well-drained soil conditions.

Another suitable grass is Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), known for its fine, hair-like foliage that forms a soft, mounding shape. This texture provides a delicate counterpoint to the base of the Liatris stalks. For a taller element, Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) can serve as a backdrop, with its upright form and airy seed heads creating a layered effect.

Plants to Avoid Pairing with Liatris

Just as important as knowing what to plant with Liatris is understanding what to avoid. Pairing it with plants that have conflicting needs will result in one or both struggling to survive. The primary factors to consider are requirements for sunlight, water, and soil richness.

Plants that thrive in shade are incompatible with the full-sun requirements of Liatris. Species such as Hosta and Astilbe need protection from the intense afternoon sun that Liatris depends on. If the garden is shady, the Liatris itself will fail to thrive, producing weak stems and few flowers.

It is also wise to avoid plants that require consistently moist or wet soil. Liatris is prone to root rot in damp conditions, a trait that makes it a poor partner for moisture-loving plants like Japanese Iris or Ligularia. Trying to accommodate both types of plants in the same area will lead to the decline of one.

Finally, avoid planting Liatris with heavy feeders that demand rich, fertile soil. Amending the soil with large amounts of compost or fertilizer to satisfy these plants can be detrimental to Liatris. The excess nutrients can lead to weak growth, causing the flower stalks to topple over.