Species blazing star
light purple flowers, violet-green sepals, and hairy, gray-green stem, butterfly sitting on them

blazing star

Liatris aspera

Blazing star (Liatris aspera) is a North American plant species native to prairies and open woodlands. It is a tall perennial that typically grows in clumps up to four feet tall and produces stunning purple flowers in late summer and early fall. This attractive bloom attracts many kinds of wildlife, including hummingbirds, as well as butterflies. Blazing star has a fibrous root system that helps it resist drought, and its leaves are long and narrow, arranged around a thick stem. Its showy blooms make it a popular choice for flower beds and perennial gardens.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Root Cutting,Seed Propagation,Cormlet Propagation,Stolon

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Blazing star (Liatris aspera) requires very little water when it is mature and established. Water your plant deeply, but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Water once every 2 or 3 weeks during dry spells, but only if the soil feels dry 1-2 inches below the surface. Do not water blazing star during the winter months, as the plant is dormant during this time. Keep an eye on your blazing star and be sure to water it during times of drought or excessively dry conditions.

sunlight

Blazing star (Liatris aspera) is a plant species that naturally grows in the prairies of the Midwest and requires full sun to thrive. Usually, the best time of day to receive the most sun is between the hours of 10am and 3pm. At this time the sun is at its peak intensity and will provide the most benefit to plants. The amount of sunlight a blazing star needs on a daily basis will depend on the season and the region it is located in. In general, blazing stars prefer approximately 5 to 6 hours of direct sun each day, with some filtered light in the afternoon to protect from burning.

pruning

Blazing Star (Liatris aspera) can be pruned during the early spring season, typically before the leaves emerge. Pruning your Blazing Star involves removing older stems that are no longer blooming, as well as weak and spindly stems or any dead or diseased tissue. Make sure to remove all the stems to their base. Pruning your Blazing Star regularly should improve flowering during the current season. For especially large plants, trim or thin no more than 1-third of the stems per year.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Liatris aspera typically starts flowering in July.

Hardiness Map