Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Thursday - October 14, 2010
From: Lubbock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Propagation of Liatris elegans in Lubbock TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am going to harvest several Liatris Elegans.I want to grow as many as possible out of what I harvest. What will be the best method? I have plenty of land at my home for growing these plants.I will dig them up this weekend and put them in 1-2 gallon pots in their native soil till I know what needs to be done to maximize the number of plants I can grow from 1-2 dozen I intend to harvest.ANSWER:
The Liatris are blooming right now in the Gardens of the Lady Bird Wildflower Center and are beautiful, especially at this time of year when many wildlflowers are dormant. We found an excellent article on propagation of Liatris and it specifically mentioned Liatris elegans (Blazing star). This article, from Gardening-Tips-Perennials.com gives very specific instructions. Of course, you could wait until the seeds ripened on the plant, but this particular author said division was his preference.
We suggest you read this article from Virginia State University Cooperative Extension Propagation by Cuttings, Layering and Division for more complete information. And you still might try some seeds!
From the Image Gallery
More Propagation Questions
Removal of non-native zoysia grass from Burgettstown PA
September 12, 2013 - What is the most effective method of killing zoysia grass? We bought a house that sits in the center of four acres of mature zoysia. It looks beautiful, however, despite our best efforts at "weeding...
view the full question and answer
Source of Berlandiera pumila seeds from Coral Gables FL
June 07, 2012 - Where can I buy plants or seeds of Berlandiera pumila?
view the full question and answer
Are the seeds of my Graptopetalum paraguayense in Macon, GA fertile?
June 01, 2010 - I have a Graptopetalum paraguayense that has finished blooming. I put several of the dead flowers into a Ziploc bag and shook them around, and a few hundred seeds came out. They are oblong and very sm...
view the full question and answer
Propagation of an agave from Dripping Springs TX
April 30, 2014 - Hi there, I have a Century Agave in my backyard. It is over 6 feet tall and is now producing the center stalk. I understand that means the plant is going to die. My question is how to harvest the pups...
view the full question and answer
How to Propagate Mountain Laurel by Seed
January 02, 2003 - How do I propagate mountain laurel by seed?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |