Liatris spicata (L.) Willd.
Blazingstar
Dense blazing star is an upright herbaceous perennial of the daisy family, native to the moist prairies and meadows of eastern North America rather than to Britain, where it is grown as an ornamental. From a rounded corm it produces tufts of narrow, grass-like leaves and tall, slender flower spikes packed with fluffy, thistle-like florets in shades of rosy purple.
About
Dense blazing star is an upright herbaceous perennial of the daisy family, native to the moist prairies and meadows of eastern North America rather than to Britain, where it is grown as an ornamental. From a rounded corm it produces tufts of narrow, grass-like leaves and tall, slender flower spikes packed with fluffy, thistle-like florets in shades of rosy purple. Unusually, the spikes open from the top downwards, giving a long-lasting display.
In cultivation it suits sunny borders and prairie-style or naturalistic plantings on fertile soil that stays moist in summer but is not waterlogged in winter. It blooms in mid to late summer and is a magnet for bees and butterflies, while the seedheads draw finches later in the year. The strong vertical spikes also make excellent cut and dried flowers. It is best regarded as a cultivated garden perennial rather than a British wildflower.
Also known as
Button Snakewort · Dense Blazing Star · Florist Gayfeather · Gayfeather · Marsh Blazingstar · Marsh Gayfeather · Prairie-pine · marsh blazing-star · sessile blazing-star
Synonyms
Kuhnia spicata · Lacinaria elongata · Lacinaria spicata · Lacinaria spicata albiflora · Lacinaria spicata foliacea · Lacinaria spicata montana · Lacinaria spicata pumila · Lacinaria spicata spicata · Lacinaria vittata · Liatris callilepis
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.