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Liatris spicata var. resinosa is often confused with:
Conoclinium coelestinum Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Liatris spicata Form
Solidago chilensis Solidago odora in the fall in Moore County
Vernonia noveboracensis Form

Bog Blazing Star Liatris spicata var. resinosa

Description

Dense blazing-star is a native perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family.  It differs from the straight species in the more southern range, lower number of flowers per cluster, and the wider spacing of clusters per spike.

The flowers appear in summer and are not only attractive to butterflies and other pollinators they make good cut or dried flowers.

Use it in a border or mass planting or in a cottage, pollinator, or native garden.  Its showy flower spikes also work well in rain or rock gardens.  

More information on Liatris spicata.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#perennials#white flowers#perennial bulbs#wildlife plant#purple flowers#corms#native perennials#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#specialized bees#food source wildlife#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennials#native garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#dried arrangements#poor soils tolerant#prairies#food source fall#flowers late summer#food source nectar#food source pollen#humidity tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heat tolerant#perennials#white flowers#perennial bulbs#wildlife plant#purple flowers#corms#native perennials#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#specialized bees#food source wildlife#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennials#native garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#dried arrangements#poor soils tolerant#prairies#food source fall#flowers late summer#food source nectar#food source pollen#humidity tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee 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
    Cottage 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