Species blazing star
Purple flowers with burgundy buds, green leaves and stems.

blazing star

Liatris spicata 'Kobold'

Also Known As - liatris
Blazing star (Liatris spicata 'Kobold') is a perennial flowering plant that reaches heights of 2-3 feet. This species has showy, clustered, purple flowers that bloom from July to September. It is an excellent choice for summer and fall bouquets and as an accent for larger flowerbeds. The narrow, linear leaves of 'Kobold' contrast beautifully with other plants and provide valuable texture to the garden. Blazing Star needs full sun, prefers moist soil, and is tolerant of drought and dry conditions. Its special combination of beauty and hardiness make it a popular choice for many gardeners.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Red-purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Soil:

Sandy Loamy

Fruits:

brown Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Blazing star (Liatris spicata 'Kobold') should be watered regularly during the growing season. During the hottest times of the year, it should be watered twice a week, and during cooler periods, once a week may be sufficient. The soil should feel moist but not be totally wet or soggy. Check the soil for dryness before adding water. It is better to water less frequently but more deeply to ensure the roots are adequately watered. Give the plant an inch of water each time. Overwatering can cause issues such as root rot and should be avoided.

sunlight

Blazing star (Liatris spicata 'Kobold') requires full sun, meaning 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight exposure every day. This means the plant should be placed outdoors in an area with direct sunlight from about midday until early evening. A location in your garden that faces south is usually ideal for this. It is also beneficial to provide some shade during the hottest parts of the day, such as from midday to late afternoon. This will keep the leaves of the plant from burning and help it to retain moisture.

pruning

Blazing Star (Liatris spicata 'Kobold') should be pruned in late fall, just after the plant has finished flowering. To prune, cut just above the ground level and remove any dead or faded flower stems. Make sure to not prune too far down, as it may damage the plant. By removing dead flower stems and pruning the plant, it will encourage healthy growth and more robust new shoots and flowers the following season.

Season

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

Blazing star typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Liatris spicata 'Kobold' is in August and September.

Starts Flowering

Blazing star typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Liatris spicata 'Kobold' is in August and September.

Hardiness Map