Offering a unique, vertical form, the native Gayfeather plants are great in perennial borders, cutting gardens, native plant gardens, butterfly gardens, naturalized areas, prairies or meadows. Sending up tall spires of rosy-purple flowers that are nectar-rich and a favorite with butterflies and hummingbirds. Songbirds love the wildflower seed as well.

Gayfeather seeds benefit from a cold period. If starting the seeds directly outside, a winter sowing will greatly improve the germination rates. For indoor sowing, provide a 1 - 2 month period in the refrigerator prior to sowing, and then plan for 6 - 8 weeks of growth prior to the end of frost season to transplant out.

Gayfeather performs best in full sun and in well-draining soil. Soil should drain especially in the winter when rot is common in roots that stay constantly soggy. There should also be plenty of space for good air circulation.

• Gayfeather seeds respond to cold, so prior to starting indoors, dampen soil or sand and add the seeds in. Place this mixture in the refrigerator for 1 - 2 months
• Following the cold period, sow the flower seeds in starter trays
• Press the seeds into the soil and very lightly cover
• Keep the trays continually moist and warm for germination
• Place the tray in a sunny window for growing
• Harden off the seedlings for 7 - 10 days prior to planting out seedlings that are several inches tall
• Or, weed and work the garden soil in the fall
• Once there have been a few frosts, sow the Gayfeather seeds on the surface and press them in
• The seeds will lie dormant through the winter and germinate when the conditions are right the following spring

• Once established, Gayfeather plants require about 1 inch of water each week
• The flower stalk blooms from the top down, so the spent blooms can be pinched off to prolong its beauty
• After blooming is finished, the stalk can be trimmed down to the foliage
• Or, allow the stalk to remain and the seed is a good source of food for birds
• If the stalk remains, there may be some self-sowing
• Divids the plants every 3 - 4 years to prevent over-crowding