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Liatris spicata ‘Floristan Violet’ (Blazing Star)

Gayfeather 'Floristan Violet', Button Snakeroot 'Floristan Violet', Blazing Star 'Floristan Violet', Kansas Gayfeather 'Floristan Violet', Spike Gayfeather 'Floristan Violet', Liatris spicata 'Floristan Violett'

Liatris spicata 'Floristan Violet', Gayfeather 'Floristan Violet', Purple Gayfeather, Purple Blazing Star, Purple liatris, Purple Flowers, Button Snakeroot 'Floristan Violet', Blazing Star 'Floristan Violet', Kansas Gayfeather 'Floristan Violet', Spike Gayfeather

Prized for its fluffy wands of bright violet-purple flowers, Liatris spicata ‘Floristan Violet’ (Blazing Star) is a perennial of great ornamental value. Flowering in succession from top to bottom over 4 weeks and more, the tufted flower heads contrast nicely with the finely textured, grassy foliage. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, this beautiful native American enjoys a long season of interest from mid-summer to fall and supplies winter bird food. The narrow, opposite leaves stay attractive all summer and turn a rich bronze in fall. Easy to grow and low care, Liatris spicata adds a strong vertical accent in sunny borders or prairie gardens. It helps create outstanding combinations with the warm golds of black-eyed Susans or the purple blossoms of coneflowers.

  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 16-20 in. wide (40-50 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun and prefers moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates heat, cold, drought, and poor soils. Plants may rot over winter if grown in heavy soil.
  • Virtually pest and disease-free. This plant is deer-resistant.
  • An excellent choice for perennial borders, cottage gardens or native plant gardens, prairies, and meadows. Great as fresh cut flowers or in dried arrangements.
  • Deadhead regularly then cut stems down to the ground in winter.
  • Propagate by division every three to four years in spring.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Liatris
Common names Gayfeather, Blazing Star
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 15"
(30cm - 40cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Liatris (Blazing Star)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Liatris microcephala (Dwarf Blazing Star)
Liatris punctata (Dotted Blazing Star)
Liatris cylindracea (Dwarf Blazing Star)
Liatris punctata var. mucronata (Texas Blazing Star)
Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’ (Blazing Star)
Liatris spicata ‘Alba’ (Gayfeather)

Recommended Companion Plants

Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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How to Create an Enchanting Butterfly Garden
For the Love of Butterflies: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
6 Reasons You Should Create a Butterfly Garden
Liatris (Blazing Star)
For the Love of Bees: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Liatris
Common names Gayfeather, Blazing Star
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 15"
(30cm - 40cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Liatris (Blazing Star)
Not sure which Liatris (Blazing Star) to pick?
Compare Now

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