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Liatris ligulistylis is often confused with:
Liatris aspera Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Allium hollandicum Form
Verbena canadensis Verbena canadensis
Viola pedata Viola pedata

Liatris ligulistylis

Previously known as:

  • Lacinaria ligulistylis
Phonetic Spelling
lie-A-tris lig-yoo-lis-STY-lis
Description

Meadow Blazing Star is a clump-forming perennial native to the central and mid-western areas of North America and is often seen in rocky woods or slopes, prairies or gravel areas along streams. The blooms are pinkish-purple disc flowers with a fluffy and thistle-like appearance. The basal leaves become alternate up the stem which can grow 2-3 feet in height.  Propagation is best done by dividing the corms.

Meadow Blazing Star is easily grown in dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun and prefers dry, sandy or rocky, alkaline soils. You may need to stake the plant if grown in richer garden soils. This plant will not tolerate wet soils in the winter but tolerates summer heat and humidity. Use this plant in the middle or back border for a vertical accent, planted in groups or in rock gardens.

More information on Liatris.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#bulb#full sun tolerant#purple flowers#corms#cottage garden#accent plant#mass planting#cutting garden#nectar plant fall#border back#border middle#sandy soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midsummer
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#bulb#full sun tolerant#purple flowers#corms#cottage garden#accent plant#mass planting#cutting garden#nectar plant fall#border back#border middle#sandy soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midsummer
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Liatris
    Species:
    ligulistylis
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    W. Central & Central Canada to W. Central U.S.A
    Distribution:
    CO , CT , IA , IL , MN , MT , ND , NM , SD , WI , WY Canada: AB , MB , SK
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds to the seeds and butterflies and hummingbirds to the flowers
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits (cypselae) are 1/4 inch or less long, each with a ring of barbed hairs at the top.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are arranged in a loose raceme on the upper part of the stem, with rounded pinkish-purple flower heads with many small five-lobed, tubular disc flowers surrounded by spoon-shaped bracts. Long thread-like styles protrude from the center. The flower has a fluffy appearance. Flowers in late summer into fall.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The up to 6 inches long leaves are basilar and become mostly alternate up the stem. The midribs are whitish and there are sparse to dense whitish hairs on the leaves and stem. They vary from linear and sessile nearer the top of the plant, to oblanceolate with petioles nearer the bottom.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Tall green stems with whitish hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Humidity