Liatris spicata, commonly called blazing star, dense blazing star or marsh blazing star, is a tall, upright, clump-forming perennial which is native to moist low grounds, meadows and marsh margins. It typically grows 2-4' tall in cultivation, but can reach a height of 6' in some parts of its native habitat. Liatris belongs to the aster family, with each flower head having only fluffy disk flowers (resembling "blazing stars") and no ray flowers. The feathery flower heads of liatris give rise to another common name of gayfeather.
Larval Host for the
2-4'
0.75-1.5'
SIZE
SOIL
Medium, Average, Well-Drained
LIGHT
Full Sun
BENEFITS
Butterfiles, Birds
NOTES
Taller plants may require staking or other support.
CHARACTERISTICS
Showy, Good Cut Flower, Tolerates Clay, Drought Tolerant
July, August
Flower
This
flowers in
Spike Gayfeather
Liatris spicata
DETAIL VIEW
DESCRIPTION
Liatris spicata, commonly called blazing star, dense blazing star or marsh blazing star, is a tall, upright, clump-forming perennial which is native to moist low grounds, meadows and marsh margins. It typically grows 2-4' tall in cultivation, but can reach a height of 6' in some parts of its native habitat. Liatris belongs to the aster family, with each flower head having only fluffy disk flowers (resembling "blazing stars") and no ray flowers. The feathery flower heads of liatris give rise to another common name of gayfeather.