Plant DetailShow Menu

Liatris spicata var. resinosa is often confused with:
Conoclinium coelestinum Flowers
Liatris spicata Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Liatris spicata Form
Vernonia noveboracensis Form
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Liatris spicata var. resinosa has some other problems:
Management of Root-Knot Nematodes in Bedding Plants

Liatris spicata var. resinosa

Phonetic Spelling
ly-AY-tris spy-KAY-tah variety reh-zi-NO-sah
Description

Dense blazingstar is a perennial bulb in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that is native to the Southeast United States. It has a clumping, erect habit and grows 3 to 4 feet high and 10 to 18 inches wide.

It requires full sun, moist soil with good drainage, and a neutral to acidic pH. It tolerates occasionally wet or dry soil as well as heat, humidity and poor soil. Propagate it by division or seed. 

The showy flower spikes may be pink, purple or white, and appear in summer. It differs from the typical species (Liatris spicata var. spicata) by having flowers that are more loosely spaced across the stem but still bloom from the top down. The flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds and are also attractive when cut and dried. Goldfinches eat the seeds. It also serves as a host plant for the larvae of both the Liatris flower moth (Schinia sanguinea) and the Liatris borer moth (Carmenta anthracipennis).

Dense blazing-star is at home in many landscape locations including meadows, naturalized areas, recreational play areas and beside patios or ponds. It is suitable for small spaces. Use it in a border or mass planting in a cottage, pollinator, butterfly, rain, rock or native garden. 

Insects, Disease and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. 

More information on Liatris spicata.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#white flowers#perennial bulbs#purple flowers#moth caterpillar host#corm#native perennial#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#specialized bees#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#dried arrangements#poor soils tolerant#prairies#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#flowers late summer#food source nectar#food source pollen#humidity tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial#wildflower#moth friendly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#white flowers#perennial bulbs#purple flowers#moth caterpillar host#corm#native perennial#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#specialized bees#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#dried arrangements#poor soils tolerant#prairies#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#flowers late summer#food source nectar#food source pollen#humidity tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial#wildflower#moth friendly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Liatris
    Species:
    spicata
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern U.S.A.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Its flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Larval forms of Schinia sanguinea (Liatris Flower Moth) feed on the flowers and seeds, and the larval form of Carmenta anthracipennis (Liatris Borer Moth) eat the stems. Goldfinches eat the seeds with relish.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    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 Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Cypselae (a type of achene) with stiff light brown bristles in fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Differing from the main species, the flowers are more loosely spaced across the stem, still blooming from the top down. There are only 5-6 disk florets per flower and the bracts are purple instead of green. Highly variable in flower density and number.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The basal clump of alternate, narrow deep green leaves with a strong central vein are up to 12 inches long and 1/3 inch wide. Leaves grow smaller as they ascend the flower stalk. They are glabrous to sparsely hairy. Margins are entire.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Green to purplish stem is round and smooth to slightly pubescent.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pond
    Recreational Play Area
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Humidity
    Poor Soil