Blazing Star
Liatris spicata
A native prairie perennial sending up tall spikes of fluffy purple flowers that open from the top down. A magnet for butterflies, it is a favorite of pollinator gardens.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low to moderate; well-drained
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Blazing star is a showy North American prairie perennial prized for its erect spikes of rosy-purple, feathery flowers. Unusually, the flower spikes open from the top downward, the reverse of most flowering spikes.
Growing from a corm, it is exceptionally tough and drought tolerant, and it ranks among the best plants for attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It is also a popular cut flower thanks to its long-lasting blooms and strong vertical form.
How to identify it
- Flowers: Fluffy, rosy-purple (sometimes white) tufts densely packed in a tall spike, opening top-down
- Leaves: Narrow, grass-like, alternate, crowded along the stem
- Stems: Stiff, erect, unbranched, 2-4 feet tall
- Roots: Grows from a rounded corm
- Bloom time: Mid to late summer
Care & growing
Blazing star is easy, hardy, and low maintenance.
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established, but tolerates moist soil if well-drained
- Soil: Well-drained soil; dislikes soggy winter conditions which rot the corm
- Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 3-8
- Feeding: Minimal; lean soil keeps stems sturdy
- Propagation: By seed (cold stratify) or by dividing corms in spring
Habitat & origin
Liatris spicata is native to eastern and central North America, especially the tallgrass prairies and moist meadows of the central and eastern United States.
It grows naturally in prairies, wet meadows, marsh edges, and open savannas. It is widely cultivated and is one of the most commonly grown native prairie plants in gardens and pollinator plantings.
Frequently asked questions
Why does blazing star bloom from the top down?
Unlike most spiked flowers that open from the bottom up, Liatris opens its uppermost flowers first and progresses downward, a distinctive trait of the genus.
Is blazing star good for butterflies?
Yes, it is one of the best nectar plants for butterflies, especially monarchs, and is also heavily visited by bees.
Does blazing star come back every year?
Yes, it is a hardy perennial that grows from a corm and returns reliably each year in well-drained soil.
Can I use blazing star as a cut flower?
Absolutely; its tall purple spikes are long-lasting in arrangements and also dry well for everlasting displays.
Blazing Star guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Blazing Star.
