Dense Blazing Star Liatris spicata var. resinosa
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Dense Blazing Star:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ly-AY-tris spy-KAY-tah variety reh-zi-NO-sah
- Description
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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.
- Profile Video:
- 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:
- 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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
