Liatris spicata 'Kobold', Gayfeather

This is a compact, upright, clump-forming perennial. Multiple spikes are comprised of bright purple-magenta florets opening top to bottom until the whole spike is a-fluff. Towards the end of its season the top of the spike begins to go to seed while the bottom is still a-fluff. This is a later summer bloomer and a long bloomer! The bees (especially bumble bees), swallow-tail and monarch butterflies, moths, and birds (for the seeds) will pore over it! What a jack-pot for the pollinators! Extremely drought-tolerant, you can leave it to its own devices without a worry. And, if all of that wasn't enough, it makes a wonderful cut flower for that tall element in a vase and is a perfect accent in a grass garden or meadow. Now you understand why this has been a popular plant.  Mature size: 2-2.5 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Minimum temperature: -40° F