Liatris Grow Guide: How to Grow and Care for Blazing Star

Liatris (part of the Asteraceae family) is a genus of herbaceous perennial native to North America that grows long flower spikes. These plants have grass-like leaves and purple, pink, or white flowers that carry no scent. These blooms have rounded bracts (instead of flower petals) surrounding their many little flower clusters, making them a popular hub for pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

The plant often appears organically in meadows and prairies as wildflowers and are popular cut flowers that you may find in bouquets arranged at your local florist.

Over forty different breeds of Liatris occur in the wild, each with its unique characteristics. Here are some of the most popular types:

1. 1. Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata): Dense blazing star, also known by the common names marsh blazing star and gayfeather, is an ornamental perennial that blooms spiky pink-purple flowers growing between three and five feet tall.
2. 2. Prairie blazing star (Liatris pycnostachya): Prairie blazing star, also known as cattail blazing star, has pointed bracts that curve backward. Its tall flower spikes grow to around four feet in height and feature colors ranging from pink to purple.
3. 3. Rocky Mountain blazing star (Liatris ligulistylis): Rocky Mountain blazing star is a clump-forming perennial that can grow between one and three feet tall, with a spread between six inches and two feet. These plants produce densely-packed fluffy thistles surrounded by basal leaves covered in whitish hairs.
4. 4. Ontario blazing star (Liatris cylindracea): Ontario blazing star has flattened bracts that terminate in small, pink flower heads and densely-packed linear leaves with hairless stems. Ontario blazing stars can grow anywhere from nine inches to two feet tall.
5. 5. Tall blazing star (Liatris aspera): Tall blazing star, also known as the rough blazing star or button snakeroot, has rounded bracts, bright green leaves, and magenta-purple florets. This species is drought-tolerant and often grows naturally in dry plains and open woods.

When you plant Liatris depends on your preferred growing method. You can plant Liatris corms (swollen bulbs) in the spring. Planting this flower from seed is more successful when you do it in the late fall or early winter because the seeds germinate well in cold and moist conditions. You can also use a cold stratification method—introducing your seeds to moist and cold conditions—before planting them in the spring.

Liatris will thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 8, though some species can tolerate 3 and 4 with the right care.

Liatris plants grow from corms, rhizomes, or crowns, depending on the species. Any breed of Liatris will also grow easily when you start it from seed, but the plant will not bloom until the second year. Here’s how to plant your own Liatris from seed or corms:

1. 1. Prepare the planting site: Liatris prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil, though it will tolerate many soil types. It also enjoys full sun (with direct and indirect sunlight) and grows in partial shade conditions. Prepare your planting spot with well-draining soil to prevent wet feet and root rot. If necessary, loosen the soil to at least eight inches deep to encourage draining.
2. 2. Sow the seeds: If you are growing Liatris from seed, press the seeds about a quarter of an inch into your soil and cover them lightly with more soil.
3. 3. Plant the corms: If you are planting Liatris from corms, dig a hole about two to three inches deep in your prepared soil. Place the corm roots-side down in the hole, backfill it with soil, and press firmly to remove any air pockets. Space any additional plants at least twelve to sixteen inches apart.
4. 4. Water to establish: Water your seeds thoroughly immediately after planting and any time the soil feels dry during germination. Water your corms thoroughly after you plant them. Only continue to water them once the soil dries out.

Liatris is an extremely low-maintenance plant that requires very little attention and care once it establishes itself. Here are some care tips to consider:

1. 1. Divide as necessary: Plant division is a method of producing new plants by removing a portion of a parent plant that has its roots and replanting the new section to grow elsewhere. Dig up and divide your Liatris plant every few years to help prevent overcrowding beneath the soil surface. Dividing your plants also exposes them to fresh nutrients and soil.
2. 2. Deadhead annually: Dying Liatris flower spikes can sap the plant’s energy, but you can redirect this process by deadheading your plants. (Deadheading refers to the removal of spent flowers from plants to encourage renewed growth.) Use a clean pair of shears to cut back spent flower stalks and leaves to the base of the plant at the end of the growing season. You can also pinch back spent flower blooms during the growing season to help encourage more healthy growth and extend bloom time.
   
3. 3. Monitor for disease: Liatris plants are resistant to most pests but susceptible to powdery mildew and leaf spots when left in overly wet and shady conditions. Aerate the plant to reduce fungal rot, or plant your flowers in a sunny environment to prevent any disease issues in the first place.
4. 4. Stake: This exceptionally hardy plant can even grow in poor soils. However, if you grow the flowers in particularly rich or fertile soil, the tall stems may need extra support to prevent them from flopping over. Staking your Liatris can help keep your flowers upright, improving air circulation and encouraging more healthy growth.

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