Plant Profile

Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pychnostachya) is an herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (Daisy) family. The origins of its genus name are unknown, but the species name of pychnostachya is derived from Greek meaning for ‘crowded or thick spiked’ and likely refers to the tightly clustered blooming stalk.  The prairie blazing star is native to the central and southeastern United States where it prefers moist to dry, well-drained soils with full sun exposure. It may also be found in damp prairies and tolerates poor soils, drought and heat conditions. It does not tolerate wet winter soils.

Often grown as an ornamental or for cut flowers, prairie blazing star reaches a maximum height of 5 feet but often tops out at 2-4 feet based on local competition. The purple disc flowers arranged in heads, are crowded on a coarse, hairy, leafy stem. Like many Liatris species, when it begins to bloom it starts at the top and works its way down. The lower half of the plant is covered in thin, grass-like leaves. The bracts below the heads have long pointed purplish tips that distinguish it from other species. 

Grow this plant in wet to medium soil conditions and will do well in poor soils such as clay. It grows best in full sun to partial shade, and blooms in July, August, and September. This is an excellent Liatris species to plant in wet-medium prairies and perennial gardens; butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds are attracted to it all summer. It's a great fit for home gardens in the back of the border or in groups for cottage gardens, rock gardens, naturalized areas and pollinator gardens.