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Liatris aspera

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ly-AY-tris AS-per-uh
Description

Rough Blazing-star is a native perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that grows from a corm.  It is commonly found in prairies glades and barren areas in eastern and central USA. It blooms late summer into fall with spikes of showy purple composite flowers. It is a butterfly magnet.

This plant will adapt to most well-drained soils but prefers an acidic sandy or rocky soil in full sun to partial shade. Use in the native, butterfly, rock or cottage garden near the middle to back of the border. It can also naturalize in the wildflower meadow.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#purple flowers#corm#native perennial#NC native#rock garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#meadow#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#purple flowers#corm#native perennial#NC native#rock garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#meadow#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Liatris
    Species:
    aspera
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    S.E. Canada to eastern U.S.A.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    The achenes have large tufts of stiff hair that are light greyish brown and are distributed by the wind. Displays from September to October
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Dome
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Bright purple fluffy looking disc flowers are crowded into rounded groups along the stem. Blooms from August to October
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow lance-shaped basal green leaves up to 12 inches long and 1 inch across. Become shorter and narrow as they go up the stalk. Slightly pubescent.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Central stem green to dark red with short stiff hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Dry Soil