Liatris squarrosa
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ly-AY-tris skwa-RO-suh
- Description
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Scaly blazing star is a native perennial wildflower in the Asteracae (daisy) family found in upland woodlands. The spikey purple flowers appear from late summer into the fall. This plant grows 1 to 3 feet in height from corms and has small linear leaves with. One inch flowerheads have squarish bracts that are spaced up an unbranched stem. This plant attracts hummingbirds, moths, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Grow this plant in well-drained sandy or rocky soils in full sun. It can be used in the native pollinator garden in the middle border or small groups. It can also be used in 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:
- squarrosa
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern and central U.S.A
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CO , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NE , OH , OK , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators, moths, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- 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:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is an achene with tufts of barbed hairs
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Multiple small disc flowers are arranged in heads up to 1 inch wide and can be sparsely arranged up the stem. Individual flowers are purple/lavender and tubular in shape with 5 petals. The scaly bracts are either straight or recurved and loosely arranged around the base of each flowerhead. This is one of the earlier blooming Liatris plants and blooms from June to August.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The green leaves are 4-6" long and about ΒΌ" across and become gradually smaller as they go up the stem. They are smooth to short pubescent, sessile and linear in shape with entire margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The ridged green stems can be smooth or hairy.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
