• Image of Liatris pycnostachyataken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG
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Liatris pycnostachya

Prairie Blazing Star

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Item #: 3798

Zones: 3a to 8b

Dormancy: Winter

Height: 48" tall

Culture: Sun

Origin: United States

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


$21.00
$21.00
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Liatris pycnostachya is an amazing Central US (Canada south to Texas) prairie native that's one of the most stunning of the blazing star species. In July, the top half of the giant 4' tall stems are lined with clusters of bottle-brush like purple flowers, opening slowly from the bottom to the top. The bottom half of the spikes are clothed with narrow green leaves. This is one of the best blazing stars for making an impact in the perennial border. Prairie blazing star thrives in both moist and temporarily dry soils as long as the drainage is decent. It's equally prized by butterflies, bees, and wild-loving gardeners.

Maintenance:

In re-created prairies, there is no maintenance to perform, but in garden settings, most folks prefer to cut back the flower stalks to the ground after flowering. The timing of when you do this depends if you want more seedlings to appear.

Since it can reach 3-5' in height, it may also need staking unless you plant it where it has other plants to lean on, which is our suggestion. Good prop plants includes lilies, baptisias, and deciduous azaleas, to mention but a few.

Growing Conditions:

Prairie blazing star prefers well-drained soils, and full sun for at a few hours each day.

Garden Value:

The stunning show of purple vertical spikes is a great design element in the summer garden.

Natural Impacts:

All blazing stars draw and array of pollinators in flower. The list includes several types of bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.