AT A GLANCE

Button Blazing Star (Liatris Aspera) is a striking wildflower with spikes of violet hued gemlike blossoms that bloom for many weeks from July to October. Liatris Aspera is a favorite of many bees and butterflies including Monarchs, Painted Ladies, Black Swallowtails, Sulfurs and more. Liatris prefers moderate to drier well draining soil and prefers full sun but can grow in shady conditions reaching average of 3 feet in height.

CONDITIONS

Often found in grasslands and meadows, Blazing Star does best in full sun planted in drought and loamy, clay, sandy or rocky soils. It prefers dryer conditions and slightly acidic PH as well as poor soils. Can tolerate partial shade but expect fewer flowers. Native to the east of the US and widespread but increasingly rare.

BENEFITS

Button Blazing Star retains its intensely pigmented purple hues in cut and dried arrangements as a cut flower for the home. Liatris is a stunning flower and provides months of blooms. It is drought tolerant and requires little care once established. and is a favorite of birds as well.

CARE

You will receive a plant with several sets of leaves and stalks and root system of approximately 8 inches. Plant with space of 10-18inches apart in full sun to partial sun and water upon planting and in following weeks water very sparingly if its not raining. You may want to add some aeration of sand or rocks in the surrounding soil. Make sure the liatris is not outcrowded by taller plants.

Perennial plants typically spend the first year of growth establishing their root system and storing up energy. Blooming plants the first year can occasionally happen for some species, but it is more the exception than the rule. Most often during the first year you will just see vegetative growth. and see flowering in later years.

This plant pairs well with rabbit tobacco, hyssopleafed boneset, and butterfly milkweed.