Chrumps / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden
Blazing star
Liatris aestivalis
Overview
A native prairie perennial whose dramatic purple flower spikes bloom from the top down, providing weeks of color in late summer. Blazing star (Liatris) is a monarch butterfly magnet and one of the most valuable native pollinator plants. Its deep taproot makes it extremely drought-tolerant once established and perfectly suited to rain gardens and prairie restorations.
Growing Conditions
Hardiness Zones4 — 7
Height1.24m
Spread1.05m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5.5 — 7.5
Soil TypeWell-drained, sandy or loamy soil; dislikes wet feet
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | May — Jun | Plant corms or plugs in spring; native prairie plant; very cold hardy |
| Cold (1-2) | Bloom | Jul — Sep | Spiky purple blooms attract monarch butterflies and native bees |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Apr — May | Plant corms 2-4" deep; full sun; well-drained soil essential |
| Cool (3-4) | Bloom | Jul — Sep | Mid to late summer bloom; opens from top of spike downward |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Plant in spring; unique top-down blooming spike; excellent cut flower |
| Moderate (5-7) | Bloom | Jun — Sep | Long bloom period; leave seed heads for goldfinches |
| Moderate (5-7) | Divide | Mar — Apr | Divide corms every 3-4 years; each division needs growing eyes |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Feb — Mar | Plant in late winter; needs good drainage — rots in wet soil |
| Warm (8-9) | Bloom | May — Aug | Summer bloom; drought tolerant once established |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Nov — Dec | Plant in fall; native to prairies and open woodlands |
| Hot (10+) | Bloom | May — Jul | Early to midsummer bloom |
Uses
Other Uses
- Premier pollinator and butterfly garden plant
- Excellent long-lasting cut flower
- Prairie and meadow restoration species
