Liatris, also known as blazing star or gayfeather, is a long-blooming perennial wildflower. It has highly unusual flower heads featuring tiny and colorful star-like blossoms arranged around a long upright bottlebrush spire. The grasslike leaves are narrow and inconspicuous, forming a basal clump, but they turn an attractive bronze color in the fall. Blazing star is adaptable to many warm and cold climates and requires full sun, and well-drained, slightly acidic soil but prefers drier winter conditions. Blazing Star Care Here are the main care requirements for growing blazing star: Plant blazing star corms in the spring after the last frost date spaced 12 to 15 inches apart and two to four inches deep. Place corms in well-draining soil that's slightly acidic or neutral. Avoid planting in clay or overly rich soil for best results. Put blazing star plants in full sun. Water new plants or corms thoroughly, and then water only during the hottest months. Light Choose a site with full sun to plant blazing star corms. These are prairie plants in their native habitat, so the more sun, the better they will perform. Soil Just about any soil, at any level of fertility, will successfully grow blazing star corms, although quick drainage is essential to prevent rot. Very rich soils may require that you stake the plants, as the stalks can be a bit floppy. Blazing star prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH. Heavy clay can cause root rot, especially in winter, if the soil doesn't drain well. Water After planting, water the corms thoroughly. The corms do not need additional irrigation until stalks sprout. As the plants begin active growth, one inch of water a week during the hottest months will prevent stunted flowers and leaf scorch. Apply water to the base of the plants, or use drip irrigation, to avoid spreading fungal diseases. These plants need more water in their first year; afterward, they have good tolerance to drought and dry soil conditions. Temperature and Humidity Hardy in zones 3 to 9, blazing star is quite tolerant of summer heat and humidity in warm climates and will survive very cold winters, provided that the soil is not too wet. Wet winter soils can cause the corms to rot. Fertilizer Blazing star is not a heavy feeder, but if the soil fertility is poor you can apply a balanced flower fertilizer each spring as active growth begins. In most decent soils, however, it usually does fine with no feeding whatsoever. Types of Blazing Star L. spicata, the most common garden species, is very often planted in its original native form. Several named cultivars are popular, and there are also a couple Liatris species of note: ‘Alba’: This cultivar has pure white flowers and grows about 18 inches tall. ‘Callilepsis’: This cultivar has the expected purple flowers on especially long stems that are ideal for cut flower arrangements. ‘Kobold’: This is a smaller, more compact variety with deep-purple flower heads. This variety is a good choice for the foreground of mixed perennial beds. 'Floristan White' and 'Floristan Violett': These cultivars have beautiful, 3-foot flower spikes that bloom in July and are known for having an especially long bloom period. 'September Glory': This plant blooms from August to September with 4-foot purple spikes. L. aspera (rough blazing star): This species has purple flowers that grow from 15 to 40 inches tall, depending on location. It has less showy flowers but is a good performer for dry, barren soil. L. pycostachya (prairie blazing star or Kansas gayfeather): This plant blooms later, in August through September. It is available in white, purple, or rose-purple flowers that grow on spires reaching two to five feet tall. Propagating Blazing Star As blazing star matures, it typically develops offset corms. It's easy to propagate this plant by digging up the root corms and separating them. Doing this every few years will also help rejuvenate the plants and extend the life of a clump. Here's how: In spring as new growth is just beginning, use a shovel or trowel to dig up the entire clump. Separate the clump into sections, each with at least one thick corm with at least one "eye" or bud. Discard any corms that are soft or completely desiccated. Plant the corms immediately in their new locations, after carefully loosening the soil to at least five inches deep. Space pieces at least 1 foot apart to ensure good air circulation. Corms can also be divided in fall, and then stored over winter for spring planting. How to Grow Blazing Star From Seed Blazing star can also be grown from seed, although patience is required since the first blooms take two years or more to appear. The seeds will require four to six weeks of cold stratification to germinate. If starting seeds indoors, take these steps: Plant the seeds in small pots or starter trays filled with standard potting mix. Moisten the mix, then plant the seeds in groups of three to five seeds, just barely covering them with additional potting mix. Place the containers in a spot that receives morning sun and where nighttime temperatures remain above 50°F. Continue to moisten the potting mix until the seeds sprout, which usually takes two to four weeks. Keep the seedlings moist as they grow in a sunny location until it's time to transplant them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Harden off seedlings before planting them in the garden. New seedlings may need protection from feeding rabbits for the first year. Potting and Repotting Blazing Star Native perennials such as blazing star are not commonly grown in containers, but it is certainly possible to do so. Any well-draining container filled with a good porous potting mix will work. Planting and care are identical for in-ground plants, but you will probably need to water more often, as the soil in containers tends to dry out faster than garden soil. To ensure winter survival, move the containers to a sheltered location as freezing weather approaches. Some gardeners have had success placing containers in a cold frame or cool garage, heaping them with mulch, or even burying the container in the garden for winter. Don't try to bring a potted blazing star indoors to grow as a houseplant over winter, as these plants require weeks of cold dormancy to reset themselves for spring growth. Overwintering Within its hardiness range, blazing star does not need any special winter cold protection. The normal pruning routine is simply to cut off the flower stalks near ground level, though you can also leave the flower heads in place for the benefit of winter-feeding birds. Blazing star does not like wet winter soil so avoid heaping mulch over the plant crowns for the winter, as this can trap moisture and encourage bulb rot. Make sure to clean away soggy garden debris in the spring before new growth begins. Common Pests & Plant Diseases Blazing star does not suffer from any serious insect problems, but several fungal diseases can occur, including leaf spot, rust, stem rot, powdery mildew, and verticillium wilt. The best approach is to prevent these diseases by giving the plants good sunlight and air circulation. Mild fungal diseases, such as leaf spot and powdery mildew, are usually not serious and may not even require treatment. More severe diseases sometimes can be treated with fungicides, but it may be necessary to remove and destroy badly affected plants. How to Get Blazing Star to Bloom Bloom Months Blazing star typically blooms from July into late fall. Young plants sometimes withhold flowers for the first year or two until the root systems become well established. What Do Blazing Star Flowers Look and Smell Like? The pure species has bright purple flower spikes, but there are also pink and white cultivars available. Fresh blazing star does not have any scent, but dried flowers may emit a faint vanilla fragrance. How to Encourage More Blooms The largest corms will produce the most impressive flowers. For better blooms, start by choosing corms that approach three inches or more in diameter. These structurally swollen dormant stem parts will send up shoots followed by flowers approximately three months after a spring planting. If mature plants fail to bloom at all, it may be a problem of soil fertility. Try blending in a slow-release fertilizer into the soil around the plants each spring. Also, check to ensure the plant receives enough sunlight. Deadheading Blazing Star Flowers Deadheading blazing star after the first bloom of the year may encourage a second blooming. Do not deadhead any blooms if you want the plants to reseed. Common Problems With Blazing Star As a hardy native wildflower, blazing star generally thrives with relative neglect. When problems occur, it is often the result of too much care—too much soil fertility or too much watering. Flower Stalks Flop Over Blazing star is a sturdy plant, even when growing in average or poor, rocky, gravelly soil. In most cases, staking the plants is not necessary. Paradoxically, rich, fertile soils can cause the flower stalks to topple over. In this case, you may need to stake up the flower stalks. Plants Turn Mushy and Break Mushy plants that break at the ground level indicate stem or corm rot, which is caused by wet soil that introduces fungal disease into the roots or stems. Unfortunately, these plants will need to be removed. Future problems can often be avoided by reducing water or improving soil drainage.

Mums are one of the most popular fall flowers for their beautiful red, brown, yellow and pink blooms that perfectly encapsulate fall. But of course, sometimes no matter how hard you try, flowers have a mind of their own and may dry out or die before you can even enjoy them. Here are the four most common issues with mums and how to tackle them. Mum Leaves Are Turning Yellow If you are noticing your mums not looking as good as your next-door neighbors, you aren't alone. While mums are certainly tough and can withstand a lot of outdoor factors, they can wilt, shrivel up and not bloom just like any other flower or plant. But don't fret, we've got you covered so your mums can get the care they deserve and start looking as good as new. If you're noticing your mums leaves are discolored and turning from a bright green to an unsightly yellow color, it could be mildew on your mums. To help reverse this, as soon as you notice the discoloring of the mums, dust your mums with finely ground sulfur. Then, repeat this step once a week until buds turn a better color.1 Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! Flowers Are Turning Brown If you notice your mums drying out and turning from beautiful blooms to an unsightly brown or rust color, it's time to water, water, and water some more. Mums hate being dry and need a ton of moisture to keep looking fresh all day long. When grown in pots on your stoop, on hot days in early fall, it's common for mums to need water twice a day. When they are dehydrated, their leaves will start to droop, which you don't want at all. Fortunately, water will for the most part perk them up almost instantly.2 Mums Are Looking Untidy and Wilting Another common issue for mums is them looking disheveled and not as neat from when you first bought them. Mums can quickly go from looking perfect, to many blooms looking out of place, disorderly, and wilting. Luckily, this common issue is so easy to fix. Make sure to trim back any flowers that are looking depleted, and be sure to prune any dried up leaves or broken stems.3 Mums Aren't Blooming The last common problem is the worst of all: noticing your mums aren't blooming at all. This could actually be because of the kind of mum you purchased. There are thousands of varieties of mums and some are best for early season of fall versus the late season of fall. If your mums aren't blooming, you may have picked the variety of mums that require a longer period of darkness. Then, if the temperatures plummet, there's no way they will survive the cold. Another possibility is that the dark period your plants are being exposed to is being interrupted. This happens a lot when mums are planted or placed near street or front porch lights. These lights interrupt the darkness that your mums needs to thrive and can delay flower production.

Dill is a popular herb to toss in various dishes, but dill plants can also do well in the garden. Dill is an excellent companion plant for certain herbs and vegetables, such as basil and broccoli, as well as flowers like marigolds. This guide will help you use this versatile herb to benefit plants in your garden. Here are 12 dill companion plants to help cultivate a healthy and productive garden. Benefits of Companion Planting Companion planting is a tried-and-true gardening technique that can boost the health of certain crops when planted together. Some plants can attract pollinators like wasps and repel pests like cabbage worms and moths. Additionally, while most plants absorb nutrients from the soil, some do the opposite. Bush beans, for instance, send nitrogen back into the earth to benefit neighboring plants, and chamomile can release chemicals that boost growth and even flavor in nearby plants. Dill is a great companion plant for numerous herbs and vegetables primarily for its relationship with good and bad insects. Dill plants can attract pollinators like honeybees and ladybugs to your garden, as well as deter harmful insects like aphids and spider mites. Additionally, dill has shallow roots and narrow stems that can easily fit between larger plants like Brussels sprouts to help you save space in your garden. Corn Insects like cutworms and earworms can threaten mature corn. Dill has an intense fragrance that attracts various insects like ladybugs and hoverflies. These beneficial bugs happen to prey on corn's harmful pests, making flowering dill plants an excellent companion for established corn.1 Experts recommend growing dill on the ends of corn rows, roughly one foot away from the nearest corn stalk. Name: Corn (Zea mays) USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11 Light: Full sun Soil: Loamy, well-drained, acidic, neutral Asparagus For many crops, aphids are always on the prowl, looking to gobble up your plants before you have the chance. Asparagus is among these vulnerable veggies. Fortunately, dill seeds attract both lacewings and ladybugs, which enjoy snacking on aphids.1 Additionally, companion planting with asparagus and dill is a great way to maximize growing space and ensure an even distribution of nutrients. Name: Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-9 Light: Full sun Soil: Sandy, loamy, neutral acidic Basil Dill and basil are great companion plants, because of their many similarities. Not only do they benefit from similar soil components, but they also attract many of the same beneficial insects and deter destructive pests.1 Companion Planting. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. If you're building an herb garden, be sure to plant basil nearby. Name: Basil (Ocimum basilicum) USDA Hardiness Zones: 10-11 Light: Full sun Soil: Moist, rich, well-draining, acidic to alkaline Deer Resistant: Yes Tip Other herbs like coriander, parsley, and chervil also make great dill companion plants. Broccoli Brassica vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, and more, many of which make great dill companion plants. Dill can help deter destructive insects like cabbage moths, cabbage loopers, and cabbage worms, all of which enjoy munching on brassica vegetables like broccoli.2 Name: Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11 Light: Full sun Soil: Moist, loamy, well-drained, acidic, neutral Marigold Dill can help repel a variety of pesky insects, but it is not immune to damage from certain bugs like caterpillars and slugs. Fortunately, there are certain plants that can ward off these critters, including marigolds.2 Marigolds are considered one of the best companion plants, pairing perfectly with onions, squash, cucumber, and more. Name: Marigold (Tagetes spp.) USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11 Light: Full sun Soil: Evenly moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral Lettuce Some sources argue that leafy vegetables like lettuce are the best dill companion plant of all.1 Not only is lettuce a primary target of many garden pests, but it has a short growing cycle, so you can harvest and replant your lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard as the dill grows. Name: Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11 Light: Full sun to partial sun Soil: Loamy, rich, well-drained, acidic, neutral Onion Aphids tend to avoid the intense fragrance that accompanies dill, but that doesn't mean dill is protected from the threat of this common garden pest. Many avid gardeners recommend planting onions and dill together because the combination of these strong aromas offers an even better barrier against bugs like aphids.21 Name:Onion (Allim cepa) USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9 Light: Full sun Soil: Loamy, well-drained, neutral Beans Like dill, beans are a great companion plant, because of the benefits they offer neighboring plants. Specifically, the roots of bean plants attract nitrogen, which benefits the surrounding plants. In exchange, dill keeps away common garden pests that threaten to destroy growing bean plants.2 Name: Common bean, green bean, etc. (Phaseolus vulgaris) USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11 Light: Full sun Soil: Loamy, moist, well-drained, acidic Nasturtium Like marigolds, nasturtiums can be an excellent dill companion plant and benefit a number of other popular garden herbs and veggies. Just as onions and dill work together to repel aphids, nasturtium can protect garden crops by doubling dill's efforts. This popular companion plant attracts pollinators as well as predatory insects, making it a great addition to most garden beds.1 Name: Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.) USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11 Light: Full sun Soil: Moist but well-drained, acidic, neutral, alkaline Chives Like onions, chives have an intense fragrance that can deter aphids, making dill and chives a great pest-fighting team. Chives will not only help dill deter this destructive garden critter, but it also repels other garden pests like spider mites. Together, chives and dill attract pollinators to foster health for neighboring plants.2 Name: Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8 Light: Full sun to light shade Soil: Loamy, sandy, slightly acidic to neutral Tip Some sources say planting dill near alliums like garlic, chives, onions, and leeks can help enhance their flavor.2 Zucchini Zucchini and other squash plants tend to grow big and bushy, so not every popular companion plant pairs well with these leafy giants. Fortunately, dill is thin and frond-like, so it won't clash with the squash plant's leaves or block sunshine. Additionally, zucchini and squash are particularly susceptible to pests like squash beetles and flea beetles, but dill plants offer an effective line of defense by attracting predatory insects.2 Name: Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-11 Light: Full sun Soil: Rich, loamy, moist Cucumber Dill and cucumber are another great pair in both the kitchen as well as the garden. Cucumber beetles are a major threat to cucumbers, but fortunately, dill can help. Dill plants attract ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and green lacewings, all of which love to feast on cucumber beetles.3 Name: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-11 Light: Full sun to partial shade Soil: Rich, well-draining, acidic to neutral Plants You Shouldn't Grow With Dill Although dill can be a beneficial companion plant for a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and even flowers, not every plant will interact well with dill plants. Here are a few plants you should avoid growing near dill: Carrots: Avoid planting dill and carrots together, as the pair are members of the same plant family and can cross-pollinate. This is also true of celery, cilantro, caraway, and more.2 Peppers: Peppers, and other nightshades like eggplant and even tomatoes, are not the best companion plant for dill, because they consume the same type of nutrients, which may stunt your plants' growth.2 Lavender: Lavender and dill are not great companion plants, since both have different soil requirements. Dill prefers moist soil, while lavender likes its soil to dry between watering.45 Potatoes: Dill grows quickly and sometimes blocks light from reaching other growing plants like potatoes, which can stunt their growth.