Blazing star is a perennial prairie plant with tall wands of purplish-pink blooms that attract pollinators to the garden.
Perennial blazing star makes an eye-catching addition to sunny gardens thanks to its soaring spikes of magenta blooms.
Several species and varieties are available, and some have exceptionally long-lasting blooms.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Blazing star flowers are a favorite nectar source for butterflies and many other pollinators.
Once the blooms are done, the seeds make a nutritious snack for finches and other small birds.
The perennial works beautifully inprairie gardens,cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and border beds in Zone 3-9.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Blazing star thrives in a location with full sun and well-draining soil with low to medium fertility.
First, prepare your soil by loosening it up and mixing in organic matter such ascompostor leaf mulch.
Place the plant in the hole and fill it in, tamping down the soil as you work.
Water thoroughly and regularly until the plant is established.
If you are planting more than one blazing star, space them at least 12 inches apart.
Taller species need neighbors to lean on to prevent flopping.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Light
Like most prairie plants, blazing star needsfull sunconditions.
Generous sunlight helps the plant remain as compact as possible and bloom robustly.
Soil and Water
Blazing star does fine in poor soil conditions as long as it’swell-draining.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
The perennial will rot in soggy soil.
Avoid overly rich, fertile soils, as they can encourage lush, soft growth prone to flopping.
Temperature and Humidity
Blazing star breezes through summer’s heat and humidity.
The plant will survive a cold winter if its soil stays relatively dry.
Fertilizer
Blazing star doesn’t need fertilizing unless it’s planted in poor soil.
If the soil is poor, applyfertilizeronce a year in the spring before the plant starts flowering.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
This helps the perennial prepare for the next growing season.
The only difference is potted blazing star will need more water than an in-ground plant.
Credit: Illustration by Gary Palmer
Avoid fungicides, which can kill this plant.
How to Propagate Blazing Star
Via Division
Propagate blazing star via its corms.
Dig up the corms and separate them for replanting.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
This helps the plants stay healthy and continue to grow.
Replant corms about 2 to 3 inches deep in soil with the root side down.
Seeds need 4 to 6 weeks ofcold stratificationto germinate.
A few varieties offer dwarf habits for smaller spaces and reduced flopping.
‘Floristan White’ Blazing Star
Liatris spicata’Floristan White' may reach 3 feet tall.
‘Kobold’ Blazing Star
Liatris spicata’Kobold' is one of the best varieties for cutting.
Its robust spikes of bright purple flowers appear in early summer.
It grows about 2 feet tall in Zones 4-9.
All cultivars produce white daisy flowers in various degrees of doubleness and size.
The sturdy stems and long vase life make the flowers unbeatable for cutting.
Taller varieties may need staking in the garden.
Many of the best cultivars are hybrids.
All are excellent for cutting.
Helenium thrives in Zones 3-9.
Artemisia
Growartemisiafor the magnificent silver foliage that complements other perennials in the garden.
The plant is nothing short of stunning next to white or blue flowers.
Artemisia thrives in hot, dry, sunny conditions in Zones 3-9.
A number spread rapidly to the point of being aggressive, so consider limiting your selections to well-behaved varieties.
Its also filled with blooming perennials and ornamental grasses native to the Midwest.
The landscaping plan includes time-tested pollinator powerhouses likebee balm,aster,catmint, andblack-eyed Susan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blazing star gets its name from its flowers.
If your blazing star plants are new, they won’t bloom right away.
check that they receive plenty of sunlight too.
No, blazing star plants are pretty well-behaved in a garden setting.
Although it’s remarkably hardy and drought-tolerant, it’s not an aggressive spreader.
That’s up to you.
“Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance.”
Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station.
