The so-called splendid plume (Liatris spicata) originally comes from the wide, sun-drenched plains of North American grasslands and impresses with its flowers that rise up to 1 meter high. The clump-forming plants are an easy-care visual enrichment in the perennial bed, as they look like a strikingly flowering type of grass.
Is the splendor hardy?
The magnificent spruce (Liatris spicata) is hardy and can survive temperatures down to double-digit minus levels. Special winter protection is only necessary for potted plants, e.g. B. by placing a styrofoam plate underneath and wrapping the bucket with protective fleece.
Overwintering the magnificent spruce in the open field
The Prachtscharte is a perennial herb whose hibernation organ with the rhizomatous root network is completely below the surface of the earth. The above-ground parts of the plant die off every year and the plant sprouts again without any problems, even in locations with double-digit temperatures below zero in the spring. Special winter protection is sometimes only appropriate for specimens of the magnificent spruce plant grown in pots, as their roots are more directly exposed to the winter cold than plants in the bed. The following precautions help with potted specimens of the magnificent charcoal in winter:
- placing a polystyrene plate under the pot
- removing the wilted plant parts and covering them with straw or leaves
- wrapping the bucket with a protective fleece or bubble wrap
Unpacking in good time in spring is important so that mold does not form after sunny spring days.
Don't let the Prachtscharte die of thirst or drown in winter
The roots of the Prachtscharte should never dry out completely, even in winter, so sparing watering is advisable if there are long-term temperatures below zero without snowfall (cold frosts) in winter. On the other hand, maggots also have difficulty withstanding waterlogging in the subsoil, as this can encourage rotting on the roots. Therefore, you should always ensure that you have a suitable planting substrate for plants in beds and pots. You should loosen up heavy and loamy soils when planting the Prachtscharte by adding sand, gravel or compost soil.
Pruning the magnificent notch before winter
Since the above-ground parts of the plant die off on their own every winter, it is not necessary to cut back the plant in the outdoor bed as part of autumn plant care. However, you can cut back wilted plant parts at any time to a height of 5 or 10 centimeters above the ground if you feel that they visually disturb your perennial bed.
Tip
So that the magnificent char can prepare for the approaching winter in good time, you should no longer fertilize the plant from August onwards.
