Blazing Star

Liatris spicata (Asteraceae) is a clumping perennial native to the central and eastern United States and eastern Canada. It grows at a medium rate to 3 to 6 feet tall but only about 1 foot wide, producing dense basal clumps of grass-like foliage. The distinctive flower spikes (6 to 12 inches long) open from the top downward, the reverse of most spike-flowered plants. Each head contains 4 to 10 purple, pink, or white disk florets with no ray florets.

Blazing star thrives in full sun on a wide range of soils (clay, loam, sand, high organic matter) with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. It tolerates both drought and moist-to-wet conditions once established. Maintenance is low. The flowers attract birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies, and dead stems provide nesting habitat for stem-nesting native bees. No significant pest or disease problems are documented. Hardy in Zones 3a to 8b.