Dense blazing star

Liatris spicata | Also known as: Prairie gay feather, Button snakewort Liatris callilepis | Rating: 2 votes | Print / Pdf

This dense blazing star prefers sunlight to darkness

Liatris spicata also goes by the names of prairie gay feather or dense blazing star. It's native to North America where it grows in prairies and meadows. The leaves are grass-like, the flowers grow on spikes, the petals are bright pink, fluffy and threadlike giving it a bottle brush effect on the top of the tall stems. It needs lots of sunshine, it won't grow otherwise. Keep it well watered too. You shouldn't have any trouble from pests or disease. Remove the dead flower heads when they're finished then cut the stems right down to the ground in the winter and it should grow well the next year.

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Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 1.5
Spread [m]
  • 0.45
Dominant flower colour
  • Pink
Flower Fragrance
  • Yes, let it smell
Flowering seasons
  • Mid summer
  • Late summer
  • Early autumn
Foliage in summer
  • Green
Foliage in Autumn
  • Green
Propagation methods
  • seed
  • division
Growth habit
  • Clump-forming
  • Erect flower stem
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Hardiness zone
  • Z3-10
Heat zone
  • H10-1
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -40 - 4
Heat days
  • 0 - 180
Moisture
  • well-drained but frequently watered
Soil type
  • sandy
  • Clay
  • chalky
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Flowers & bulbs
  • Perennials
Grown for
  • Attractive Flowers
Creative category
  • Kid Approved
  • Fine fragrants
  • For Beginners
  • Colours
  • For birds & bees
  • Tough survivors
Garden type
  • Cottage garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Prairies
Garden spaces
  • Flower beds
  • Cut flowers
  • Borders
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • 2 to 5 years
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