Spotted Gayfeather provides a unique vertical accent to a perennial border. Its clumping, upright foliage is grass-like, with long narrow blades; whorls of flowers form on stiff stems creating magenta- pink spires. Blooms late summer. 12 to 18 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide. A native to the shortgrass prairies of the Great Plains foothills of New Mexico and Colorado. The most xeric of the liatris. Excellent cut flower. Attracts butterflies and is deer resistant.
Grows in most soils, even clay, as long as it is well draining. Plant in full sun. Deep rooted and long-lived, it generally doesn't require dividing. More drought tolerant than L. spicata. There are some planted at the Washington Square Conservation Demonstration Garden.