Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: 3-4
Leaf Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MD , MA , MI , MS , MO , NJ , NY , NC , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: ON , QC
Native Distribution: NJ to MI & IL, s. to FL & LA; naturalized northeastward
Native Habitat: Moist, wood openings; mesic prairies; marsh edges
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist, average soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Texas comments: Dense gayfeather or marsh blazing star is an erect, slender perennial. The linear, grass-like leaves are clumped toward the base of the plant, but extend up the stem to the showy flower cluster. The purple, tufted flower heads are arranged in a long, dense spike blooming from the top down.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Butterflies frequent Liatris spp.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Hummingbirds

Propagation

Description: Scarified seeds may be sown outside in late fall or stored, stratified and sown the following spring. Some sources suggest spring seedlings will appear by simply laying the flowering stalk in an outdoor seedbed and covering with 1/2 in. of soil in the fa
Seed Collection: Wait until the flower heads on the entire stalk have turned fluffy tan before collecting. Bring the stalks inside to air-dry then shake or brush the nutlets from the heads. Seeds can be stored with chaff in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Scarification (lightly nick with knife) and stratification (3 months at 40 degrees).
Commercially Avail: yes

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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Liatris spicata (Dense blazing star) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife)
   Lythrum virgatum (European wand loosestrife)

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: I bought a liatris spicata start a month ago, and transplanted it into my front yard (full sun, clay soil, moist due to all the rain recently). The plant immediately wilted so I transplanted it in a pot filled with organic potting soil on the porch, in full sun again. The plant perked up for a week, and then started wilting again and now appears to be close to death. The weather has been a bit cool, but usually no colder than 50 degrees at night, and up to 70 during the day. Any idea why my plant is not happy? Could it be some sort of insect, or too much rain?
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
Enchanter's Garden - Hinton, WV

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Bibliography

Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, S.
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Liatris spicata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Liatris spicata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Liatris spicata