LIATRIS SPICATA Are you looking for a hardy perennial to add a bold splash of reliable color and dramatic form to your summer garden. After the exuberant growth of spring and early summer, our gardens can slow down and sag a bit, especially when extended spells of hot weather set in. As the low moisture and high heat conditions continue, grasses go into dormancy, new foliage slows to a crawl, and many plants conserve energy by restricting blooms - leaving gardens looking tired and spent.