Species slender blazing star
clusters of purple-blue, tiny, tubular flowers with long lavander stamens with green stem

slender blazing star

Liatris cylindracea

Slender blazing star is a beautiful and unique perennial wildflower native to the United States. It features tall and slender toothed stems, measuring up to 4 ft. in height, and spiky purple-violet blooms that grow in groups of three. Blooming from early summer to early fall, slender blazing star adds colorful texture to any garden! It loves full sun and tolerates both drought and moist soil conditions; perfect for any garden spot. With its unique characteristics, it is sure to draw attention from all passersby.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

Rose purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Rocky

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Slender Blazing Star should be watered 1-2 times a week, depending on soil type. The soil should never completely dry out, but also never stay consistently soggy. If possible, use collected rainwater or water from a nearby pond rather than tap water. When watering, avoid getting the foliage wet to minimize the risk of fungal diseases. Water deeply, thoroughly moistening the soil, and let the excess drain away. During summer months in cooler climates, you may need to water more frequently to make up for evaporation. In hot, arid climates, plants may need to be watered more often. In winter, water only rarely, usually leaving the soil dry until spring.

sunlight

Slender blazing star (Liatris cylindracea) grows best in full sun, which means plants should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. During the spring and summer months, the plant should receive 8 to 10 hours of sun. During the cooler fall months, 6 to 8 hours of sun is best. When planted in partial shade, the plant can become leggy and flop over. Additionally, avoid planting the slender blazing star in an area that gets hot afternoon sun as this can be too intense for the plant.

pruning

Slender Blazing Star (Liatris cylindracea) responds best to light pruning in late spring or early summer, after flowering has finished and before the new foliage growth begins. Deadheading, or removal of spent flower stalks, can be beneficial in preventing self-seeding and can help to promote a neater, bushier, and more ornamental habit in the garden. Pruning can also be done to reduce the overall height of the plant if desired. However, be aware that the plant may respond with additional flowering and getting too much taller, so keep pruning to a minimum.

Season

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

Liatris cylindracea typically starts flowering in July.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Liatris cylindracea typically begins in July and continues through August.

Hardiness Map