Northern Plains Blazing Star Liatris ligulistylis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Lacinaria ligulistylis
- Phonetic Spelling
- ly-AY-tris lig-yoo-lis-STY-lis
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Tall green stems with whitish hairs
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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
