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USDA, NRCS. 2012. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 8 October 2012). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Liatris spicata

Dense blazing star

Native to North America


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FIRST IMPRESSIONS:  Liatris spicata is a handsome gayfeather with a tall unbranched habit.  The stems are covered in attractive long narrow leaves.  In summer foliage is topped by rosy-purple spiky flowers and surrounded by a bevy of butterflies.  Plants prosper in sunny sites with moist soil.

HABITAT & HARDINESS:  Liatris spicata occurs in Ontario and Quebec, from Massachusetts to Florida and west to Wisconsin and Louisiana.

Plants are indigenous to moist prairies, Blackland prairies, edges of bogs and marshes, calcareous seeps, moist alkaline sandflats and sunny moist rights-of-way.  This species occasionally forms colonies in high quality moist sandy natural areas.

Plants are hardy from USDA Zones 3-9.

PLANT DESCRIPTION:  Liatris spicata is a robust perennial that produces an upright central stalk from a rounded woody underground corm. Foliage is long, narrow and either glabrous or peppered with sparse hairs.  The largest basal leaves are almost 1/2” wide and 10” long.  Blades become progressively smaller as the stalk rises.  They are deep green with a distinct main vein and are arranged close together on the stem.

Foliage is topped by spikey wand-like inflorescences composed of many orchid colored florets.   The florets are crowded into 1/2” button-like heads.  Each head contains 4-10 disc florets with curly exerted styles.

Blooming begins at the top of the flower stalk and progresses downward.  The floral display commences in mid-summer and lasts for 3-4 weeks. Flower heads mature into soft tufts of fluffy golden brown achenes.

Plants are up to 6’ tall but commonly reach 3-4’ with a 1-2’ spread.  Height is quite variable depending on soil moisture and fertility.

CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDSLiatris spicata flourishes in sunny sites with moist humus rich sandy loams. 

Plants tolerate heavier loams, clay, gravelly or calcareous soils.  They also prosper in heat, humidity and drought.

During extended hot dry weather lower leaves may wither.  In garden soils organic matter can be added to help retain moisture.

Rabbits, deer and livestock nibble the foliage and stems.  The corms are a favored food of meadow voles or prairie voles.  A large population of these rodents can decimate a stand of this lovely wildflower.

LANDSCAPE USES:  This species adapts easily to sunny gardens with average soil.  Plants are used most often to inject a strong vertical Accent or as Groupings or Mass plantings for Wildlife Gardens or Perennial Borders.  Liatris spicata has Showy Blooms that serve as long lasting Cut Flowers.  Plants are appropriate for Butterfly Gardens, Cottage Gardens, Water-wise Landscapes, Low Maintenance Plantings, moist Prairies or Meadows, margins of Water Gardens, Rain Gardens and Roadsides.

COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS:  Try pairing Liatris spicata with Andropogon gerardii, Anemone canadensis, Aster novae-angliae, Aster puniceus, Echinacea purpurea, Eupatorium hyssopifolium, Helenium autumnale or Heliopsis helianthoides.

In a dry site, Liatris aspera could be a suitable replacement due to similar flowers and blooming time. 

TRIVIA:  Liatris spicata prefers wetter habitats than most other blazing stars.  It can be distinguished from its relatives by its denser flower spikes, smooth un-recurved floral bracts, and tall stature.

This member of the Sunflower Family is also known as Marsh Blazing Star or Spike Gayfeather.

Liatris spicata attracts beneficial bees, skippers, butterflies, hummingbird moths and hummingbirds.  Birds feed on the seed during autumn.  


Height:

3-6 ft

Spread:

2 ft

Spacing:

2-3 ft

USDA Hardiness Zone:

3-9

Bloom Color:

Purple, Purple Red

Liatris spicata Characteristics

Attracts Wildlife

  • Songbirds
  • Pollinators
  • Butterflies

Attributes

  • Drought Tolerant
  • Cut Flower
  • Clay Soil

Exposure

  • Full Sun

Deer Resistant

  • Deer Resistant

Flowering Months

  • August
  • July

Foliage Color

  • Green

Growth Rate

  • Medium

Salt Tolerance

  • Medium

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring
  • Summer

Soil Moisture Preference

  • Moist to Wet

Interesting Notes:

For more information on this plant, visit the USDA PLANTS Database: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LISP


Plants that work well with Liatris spicata ''

Aromatic aster Aromatic aster (Aster oblongifolius 'Raydons Favorite')
Big bluestem Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
New England aster New England aster (Aster novae-angliae)
Purple stemmed aster Purple stemmed aster (Aster puniceus)
Purple coneflower Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
PowWow White coneflower PowWow White coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'PowWow White')
White coneflower White coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan')
Purple coneflower Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea 'PowWow Wild Berry')
Hyssop leaved boneset Hyssop leaved boneset (Eupatorium hyssopifolium)
Common sneezeweed Common sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale)
Ox-eye sunflower Ox-eye sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
Switch grass Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine')
Dwarf fountain grass Dwarf fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln')
Frosted Curls Sedge Frosted Curls Sedge (Carex comans 'Frosted Curls')
Scarlet Bee Balm Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Jacob Cline Bee Balm Jacob Cline Bee Balm (Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline')
Eastern beebalm Eastern beebalm (Monarda bradburiana)
David garden phlox David garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'David')
Jeana garden phlox Jeana garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Jeana')
Robert Poore garden phlox Robert Poore garden phlox (Phlox paniculata 'Robert Poore')
Summer phlox Summer phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Hoary mountain mint Hoary mountain mint (Pycnanthemum incanum)
Short-toothed mountain mint Short-toothed mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)
splitbeard bluestem splitbeard bluestem (Andropogon ternarius)
Upland ironweed Upland ironweed (Vernonia glauca)
Mexican Feather Grass Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima)
Autumn Moor Grass Autumn Moor Grass (Sesleria autumnalis)
Greenlee's Hybrid Moor Grass Greenlee's Hybrid Moor Grass (Sesleria x 'Greenlee Hybrid')
Canadian goldenrod Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis 'Crown of Rays')
Willow leaf Bluestar Willow leaf Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana v. salicifolia)
Virginia wild rye Virginia wild rye (Elymus virginicus)
Appalachian Mountain Mint Appalachian Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum flexuosum)
Hula Dancer cone flower Hula Dancer cone flower (Echinacea pallida 'Hula Dancer')
Gardenview Scarlet beebalm Gardenview Scarlet beebalm (Monarda didyma 'Gardenview Scarlet')

Substitutions for Liatris spicata

Kobold Blazing star Kobold Blazing star (Liatris spicata 'Kobold')
Floristan Violet blazing star Floristan Violet blazing star (Liatris spicata 'Floristan Violet')