Blazing star
Florida gardeners will nd four native
Liatris species on the market Chapman’s
blazing star (Liatris chapmanii), Dense
blazing star (L. spicata), vergreen
blazing star (L. tenuifolia var. uadriora)
and Graceful blazing star (L. gracilis).
These species are found throughout
Florida. vergreen blazing star can also
be used in the eys.
Blazing stars have long been a favorite in
oral bouquets. Flowers start opening at
the top of the stem and continue to bloom
after cutting.
Native Americans used these plants
to treat a variety of illnesses, and
researchers have discovered anti-cancer
substances in various species. Modern
herbalists use the plants for homeopathic
remedies and in potpourris and insect
repellants.
Description
Blazing stars are among our taller
perennial wildowers, generally standing
2 to 4 feet. ne or more owering stems
rise from basal rosettes in the summer,
with blooms appearing anywhere from late
summer through fall, depending on the
species. This is a deciduous wildower —
it overwinters underground and sends up
stalks from thickened, cormlike rootstock,
which resembles underground bulbs.
Foliage tends to be thin or not particularly
noticeable. However, vergreen blazing
star does maintain a visible basal rosette
in the winter.
Chapman’s blazing star blooms as early
as August and into September, with
light-lavender-colored blooms. Dense
blazing star, the most commonly available
and typically tallest of the species, has
bright lavender-colored blooms from
ctober into early November. vergreen
blazing star has lavender-colored owers
anywhere from September through
ctober. Graceful blazing star has light-
to bright-lavender owers in ctober and
November.
Planting
Blazing stars require little ground space
and can be used even in small gardens.
While you can plant anytime of the year,
you may be most successful planting
in spring after plants emerge from
dormancy. To provide seasonal color and
vertical interest, place plants in clusters in
beds of mixed wildowers and ornamental
grasses. To lengthen your blooming
season, plant more than one species.
Blazing star’s thin, stiff, upright silhouette
is complemented by plants with rounder
or spreading forms, wide strappy leaves,
and different ower shapes and sizes.
Seeds
Seeds are commercially available. To
collect your own, wait until the owers are
light tan in color and uffy, then shake or
lightly brush the owers into a container.
The brown achenes are the seeds.
Plants
Blazing stars are available in 4-inch and
gallon containers. Space plants 12 to 1
inches apart. eep them watered until you
see new growth or seasonal rains begin.
Care
Staking is only needed when plants have
been over-irrigated or -fertilized and are
weak from having grown too quickly.
Cut stems only if necessary, and carefully,
because plants pull up easily. For this
reason, be very careful when weeding
around them. ou may want to mark your
plants so you will remember where they
are in the spring.
After owering,
the dead stems
shelter insects — an
2–4 ft
important food source
for birds. Birds will
Nectar
also feed on the
seeds.
Site conditions
All the plants listed here need full sun
for best owering and well-drained
soils. Some blazing stars are especially
sensitive to persistent moisture in the soil.
Chapman’s and Graceful blazing star are
found in habitats where soil is very welldrained,
deep sand. Do not plant these
species where the ground remains moist
or wet. Dense blazing star prefers a moistwet
situation, but is fairly adaptable and
surprisingly drought tolerant.
Hardiness zones
Chapman’s blazing star, Dense blazing
star and Graceful blazing star can be
grown in ones 8a–11a. Use vergreen
blazing star in ones 8a–9b.
Other species
ou may also nd legant blazing star
(Liatris elegans) suitable for exceptionally
deep, well-drained sand in North and
North Central Florida.
Blazing stars are excellent nectar
plants and will reliably attract
numerous butteries, moths,
bees and other insect pollinators.
Hummingbirds may also nectar on the
owers.
Non-native blazing star
plants are often sold in
large retail stores and
garden centers. Blazing
star seed sold by out-ofstate
vendors is typically not Florida
native ecotype.
CAUTION
Photo by Terry Zinn
Dense blazing star
Photo by John Moran
Graceful blazing star