Liatris spicata - Dense Blazing Star

DESCRIPTION

Dense Blazing Star
Liatris spicata

Tallest of the genus with upright spikes bearing pinkish-purple tassels in July and August. One of the best garden performers! An excellent cut flower and a magnet for butterflies, bees, rare moths and hummingbirds. Deer resistant!

Attracts tiger swallowtail, clouded sulphur, orange sulphur, gray hairstreak, aphrodite fritillary, painted lady, red admiral, and wood nymphs. The caterpillars of the rare Glorious Flower Moth feed on the flowers and seed capsules of this and other Liatris species. Looks great with other Liatris species, Echinacea (Coneflower), Silene (Royal catchfly), and prairie grasses in a formal or naturalized meadow garden.

Benefits

Hummingbird and butterfly magnate!
Beautiful pink to purple blossoms flower from the top down
Attracts all kinds of native bees
Great for late season color in the garden
Easy to grow and drought tolerant

NATIVE INFO

Native Range

Native from New Jersey to Michigan and south to Florida and Louisiana. Grows in moist, wood openings, mesic prairies and marsh edges.

INTERESTING FACTS

Most flowers begin to bloom from the bottom of the stem to the top. Liatris does just the opposite and blooms from the top to the bottom.

GROWING TIPS

An easy to grow perennial with a preference for dry to average, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerant of poor soils, drought, summer heat and humidity but will not tolerate wet soils in winter.

Mature Size: 3-5'T x 18-24"W

Hardiness Zone: 3-9

Sun Exposure: Full sun

VIDEO

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American Beauties Offer Solution Based Plant Collections to Help you Choose

Quick Tips for Choosing Plants:

Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines increases biodiversity and gives wildlife a source for food, cover and nesting
Choose a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees so birds and other wildlife will always be able to find shelter
Plant trees and large shrubs where they will block winter winds from the house and shade it in summer, that will save energy and lower your carbon footprint
Try your best to buy plants that were grown locally, your independent garden center will be your best bet
Think about ultimate height and width of the plant you choose, make sure it will fit the space you have for it when it's reached maturity
Plant nectar plants in groups, to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects more easily
Ask for help if you need it. Most garden centers either have a landscape designer on staff or they can give you a reference of a designer that is adept at native plant wildlife gardening. There will be upfront costs but they are small when compared to having to redo a landscape that wasn't what you really wanted

Our Plant Tags Hold the Secrets to Success

Choosing the right plants for your garden can seem like a daunting task but we’re here to help. Our horticulturists have spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing our beautiful, American Beauties plant tags to help you be successful. First of all, when you see an American Beauties branded pot at your garden center you can be confident that the plant is native to your area and a responsible choice.

When you look at our tag you’ll find information about the plants natural habitat. That will give you a clue to how it will work in your backyard. For instance if the plant is naturally founded and moist, shade and you have full sun, it’s not the plant for you. The “Features” section gives you an overview or plant description so you’ll know what to expect. While the “Benefits” section talks about the plants strong suits and how the plant will benefit wildlife.

A Special Note About Exposure

Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day
Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine
Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day. Having said that even shade loving plants will struggle in extremely deep shade.

DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES

Best Plants for Bees - Double sided printout for download

Best Plants for Butterflies - Double sided printout for download

Best Plants for Birds - Double sided printout for download