Blazing star
Liatris spicata · Asteraceae
📷 Hedwig Storch · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Blazing star is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- July to September
- Adult size
- 90 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-20 °C)
- Origin
- North America
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Liatris spicata wants full sun and well-drained soil, even poor. Water moderately: drought-tolerant from the second year onwards.
The common mistake
Growing it in heavy, damp soil: it rots in October-November.
The pro's trick
Remove flower spikes as soon as they fade (July): this immediately triggers a denser second flowering in August-September.
Care
Exposure
Blazing star needs full sun to thrive and flower abundantly. Place it in a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient exposure weakens the plant and reduces flowering.
Watering
Water regularly when planting and in spring. Once established, the plant tolerates drought well and only needs watering during prolonged dry spells. Avoid excess moisture, which promotes rot.
Soil
Blazing star prefers light, well-drained soil. Improve heavy soils with sand or gravel. Neutral to slightly acidic pH suits it. Soil that is too compact or too wet in winter can cause root rot.
Pruning and cutting
Cut off faded flowers to encourage prolonged blooming. In late autumn or early spring, cut the stems back to 10-15 cm from the ground. Leave the dry stems in place over winter to protect the crown and provide shelter for insects.
Fertiliser
A moderate application of fertiliser in spring is sufficient in most cases. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers. A plant well-established in good soil needs nothing more.
Diseases and pests
Blazing star is generally robust. In overly humid conditions, fungal diseases may appear. Ensure good air circulation and watch drainage. Aphids may occasionally visit, but a spray of water is usually enough to discourage them.
Did you know?
The blazing star is native to the damp prairies of North America, where its purple flower spikes are appreciated by butterflies and bees. Its unique inflorescence blooms from bottom to top, unlike most flowers, which allows it to flower for several weeks.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.