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Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)

Button Snakeroot, Dense Blazing Star, Kansas Gayfeather, Spike Gayfeather

Liatris spicata, Button Snakeroot information, Dense Blazing Star information, Kansas Gayfeather information, Spike Gayfeather information
Liatris spicata, Button Snakeroot information, Dense Blazing Star information, Kansas Gayfeather information, Spike Gayfeather information

Valued for its showy fluffy vertical flower spikes contrasting with lush, finely textured, grassy foliage, Gayfeather or Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) is a perennial of great ornamental value. Interestingly flowering in succession from top to bottom over 4 weeks and more, its button-shaped, purple, rosy red or white flowers resemble blazing stars (hence its common name). 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 2-4 feet tall (60-120 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun and prefers moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates heat, cold, drought, and poor dry 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, 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 seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn. Propagate by division in spring.
  • Native to the eastern United States.

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 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 9" - 2'
(23cm - 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
Native Plants United States, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Midwest, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Washington, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Kentucky
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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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 ‘Floristan Violet’ (Blazing Star)
Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’ (Blazing Star)

Recommended Companion Plants

Crocosmia (Montbretia)
Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)
Achillea (Yarrow)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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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 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 9" - 2'
(23cm - 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
Native Plants United States, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Midwest, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Washington, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, Kentucky
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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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