Spike gayfeather or marsh blazing star (Liatris spicata) is becoming more popular with gardeners for perennial, meadow, and prairie gardens. The thistle-like, reddish-purple flowers are borne in clusters along tall spikes, somewhat resembling bottlebrushes. The flowers open from the top down, rather than the opposite, as with most spike plants. The rounded clump of rich, dark-green foliage is grassy-looking at the base of the flower spikes; the spikes have smaller leaves all the way up to the tip. Floristan violet is a consistent rich orchid color. Use it as an accent in the formal garden, or plant it in wet meadows or at marsh edges. It is one of the best plants for butterfly gardens and is a beautiful, spiky addition to prairies or meadows.