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Liatris microcephala

Phonetic Spelling
lie-A-tris my-kro-SEF-uh-luh
Description

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.

 

More information on Liatris.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#drought tolerant#corms#cottage garden#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#rock garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#compact habit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant late summer#bee friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#drought tolerant#corms#cottage garden#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#rock garden#cutting garden#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#compact habit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant late summer#bee friendly
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green to brownish stem
  • 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