Button Snakeroot, Dense Blazing Star, Kansas Gayfeather, Spike Gayfeather
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.
| 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, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, Midwest, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
| 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, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, Midwest, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Northeast, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Washington, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee |
| 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 Liatris spicata (Blazing Star) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Liatris spicata (Blazing Star) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
