Also known as Spike Gayfeather, Liatris sports purple wands of stemless, crowded flowers facing all directions and blossoming from the top of the stem down. The alternating grass-like leaves complete its bold form, and are dense at the base, becoming smaller as they ascend the stem. The purple flowers look almost like feather boas held erect on several spikes per plant. Start indoors or direct sow in early spring. Germinates in 20-45 days which can be increased by moist cold stratifying for 4-6 weeks or direct sow in fall. Prefers sunny well-drained soil and is a native pollinator.