Bring on the bees, butterflies, and birds! This compact native cultivar packs a massive ecological punch into a tidy, 2-to-3-foot frame. It is an absolute magnet for butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators.

Blazing Star 'Kobold' lights up the summer garden with dense, fluffy purple spikes on top of gorgeous grass-like foliage. Unlike most spiked flowers that bloom from the bottom up, Liatris blooms from the top down--a fun botanical quirk that keeps it looking unique as it opens. (Pro-tip: when using as a cut flower, you can snip from the top to refresh your blooms.)

While many wild varieties can get tall and floppy, the 'Kobold' selection features a dense, compact habit with sturdy stems that mean absolutely no staking required. It's easy care and extremely drought-tolerant once established. Note: while it is tolerant of a variety of soil types, excessive winter wetness can make the corms rot -- for this reason, it's helpful to plant in amended/well drained soils rather than straight clay where water can sit.

It is excellent as a fresh or dried cut flower. And don't forget to leave the spent heads in fall to provide a vital winter seed buffet for goldfinches and local songbirds.

Liatris spicata 'Kobold' 

• NATIVAR perennial (z3-8)

• Full sun

• 2-3' tall, 1' wide

• Fantastic for pollinators

• Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soil, but is quite drought tolerant once established

• Aka gayfeather

Available at Painters this Spring in affordable 4" pots for $6.50. A great price for this pollintor garden addition!