Smallhead Blazing Star Liatris microcephala
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ly-AY-tris my-kro-SEF-uh-luh
- Description
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Dwarf blazing star is a small upright perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy family) that is native to the southern Appalachian Mountains. This plant produces multiple stems of inflorescences composed of fluffy disc flowers on terminal spikes. The leaves are narrow and grass-like.
This plant prefers well-drained soil and tolerates high heat and humidity. It is resistant to damage by deer and tolerates drought and poor rocky soils. The best flowering occurs in full sun in late summer into fall. In wet winter areas, be sure to plant in well-drained soils to prevent rotting of the corms.
Use this plant in butterfly and cutting gardens, native gardens, and naturalized areas.
- 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:
- microcephala
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Eastern U.S.A
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and bees. Deer resistant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The inflorescence is made up of rose-purple fluffy disc flowers in small groups on terminal spikes. Blooms late summer into fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The basal leaves are narrow and grass-like and become small as they go up the stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green to brownish stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
