- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 2 - 3 Feet
- Mature Spread 1 - 2 Feet
- Growing Zones 3 - 9
Alba Gayfeather, also known as Liatris spicata ‘Alba,’ is the white variety of Blazing Star and is a perfect addition to a wildlife or cottage garden. This herbaceous perennial earns its keep by blooming from May until July. The pure-white flowers attract beneficial pollinators and nectar sippers like butterflies and hummingbirds and are a nice contrast to the lilac color of the more common Blazing Star. The grass-like tufts of foliage last from spring until late fall and are good camouflage for spent spring bulb foliage.
The mounding habit of the foliage makes Gayfeather a lovely plant for edging a flower bed or mass planting. The flower spike rises 2-3 feet above the foliage, adding impact to the overall plant. The high drought tolerance and moderate growth habit make it a must-have for gardening in zones 3-8. Deer resistant and rabbit resistant, Gayfeather also is susceptible to very few diseases.
Alba Gayfeather Care
Gayfeather can be grown in just about any soil as long as it is free draining and not too rich. Native perennials thrive on soils with low nutrition, and Alba Gayfeather is no different. Water new plants deeply and infrequently to encourage deeper root growth. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are perfect for getting water directly to the root zone and evenly saturating the soil. Mulch with fine arborist chips or organic compost to help the soil hold moisture and slowly feed the plant as they decompose. Alba Gayfeather will tolerate semi-shade but blooms best when planted in 6 hours or more of full sun.
Herbaceous perennials die back entirely to the ground every fall. The only maintenance required is to clean up foliage, and mulch with a 2-3 inch layer of organic material. This will help insulate and protect the roots from severe cold snaps. When new growth emerges, remove mulch from the crown and redistribute it, evenly covering the root zone. Deadheading of individual spent flower stems can be done during the summer to keep the plant producing flowers.
Alba Gayfeather Spacing
The mature size of Alba Gayfeather is compact, with a width and height of 2-3 feet. Plant multiple plants 18 inches apart on center to ensure that air can circulate through the basal leaves.
Alba Gayfeather Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 9 |
| Plant Type: Perennial |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 1 - 2 Feet |
| Mature Spacing: 1 - 2 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): White |
| Flower Description: N/A |
| Bloom Period: Summer |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: N/A |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Low |
| Resists: Deer, Disease, Pests & Insects |
| Tolerates: Heat, Drought |
| Attracts: Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Uses: Containers, Mass Planting |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Native to North America |
| Brand: American Beauties Native Plants |
| Common Name: Alba Gayfeather |
| Other Name(s): Alba Gayfeather |
| Scientific Name: Liatris spicata 'Alba' |
- SKU:
- 1231015059-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations