Perennial blazing stars make eye-catching additions to sunny gardens thanks to their tall wands of purplish-pink blooms. Their foliage of delicate green leaves looks almost grass-like and blends into the landscape well. Blazing star is hardy in Zones 3-9, and once blooming begins, the tall, colorful spires sway in the breeze and are constantly abuzz with pollinators. Several species and varieties are available, and some have exceptionally long-lasting blooms.
Blazing star flowers are a favorite nectar source for butterflies (like monarchs) and many other pollinators. Once the blooms are done, the seeds make a nutritious snack for finches and other small birds. Even better, blazing star blooms are relatively deer-resistant, making them a good addition in landscapes where deer are known to damage plants.
Blazing Star Overview
Where to Plant Blazing Star
Blazing star plants are hardy in zones 3 through 9 but are mostly native to the prairies of the eastern and central United States. They will thrive best in a place with full sun and well-draining soil with low to medium fertility.
Blazing star plants work beautifully in prairie gardens, cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and border beds. The flowers have no scent but rise above other garden plants in majestic, Muppet-like stalks. Plant it in places where you want to add height, visual interest, and color without a lot of fuss.
How and When to Plant Blazing Star
It takes approximately two years to produce flowering plants from blazing star seeds or corms (underground tuber-like stems), so the quickest way to fill your garden with colorful blooms is to plant nursery-grown starts in spring after the last frost has passed. First, prepare your soil by loosening it up and working in some organic matter such as compost or leaf mulch. Dig a hole at least twice the size of your root ball and add some bone meal to the hole. Place the plant in the hole and fill it in, tamping down the soil as you work. Water thoroughly and regularly until the plant is established. If you are planting more than one blazing star plant, space them at least 12 inches apart.
Blazing Star Care Tips
Blazing stars are true prairie plants that grow in most kinds of soil and, like many other prairie plants, they need full sun. They also can take heat and drought, sailing through some of the toughest summers without missing a beat. Taller species will need neighbors to lean on to prevent flopping.
Light
Planting blazing stars in full sun will ensure that the plants put on a good show of flowers, and will keep them as compact as possible.
Soil and Water
Blazing stars thrive in poor soil conditions as long as there's good drainage because they'll rot in soggy soil. One of the main causes of death in blazing stars is too much winter wetness, so make sure they never sit in water in cold weather. Avoid overly rich, fertile soils, as they can encourage lush, soft growth prone to flopping.
Temperature and Humidity
Blazing star can take the summer heat and humidity. If the soil stays relatively dry, blazing stars can also live through cold winters.
Fertilizer
As long as the soil is good, blazing star doesn't need fertilizing. For poor soil, apply fertilizer once a year in the spring before the plants start flowering. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
Pruning
Cut blazing star back to the base of the plant to where small leaves grow (the basal leaves) when flowers begin to fade. This allows them to prepare for the next growing season.
Potting and Repotting Blazing Star
Blazing star is a native perennial so it's not usually grown in containers, but if you choose to grow them that way, the planting and care are similar to growing in the ground. However, potted blazing star will need more water than in-ground plants.
Pests and Problems
Blazing star can become infected with leaf spot, powdery mildew, and verticillium wilt if the plants don't get enough air circulation. Avoid fungicides, which can kill these plants.
How to Propagate Blazing Star
Propagate blazing star via its corms. Dig up the corms and separate them for replanting. This helps the plants stay healthy and continue to grow. Replant corms about 2 to 3 inches deep in soil with the root side down. If the type of blazing star you're growing has rhizomes, dig up an overgrown plant, cut the rhizomes into big pieces and replant at the same depth as the original plant.
To grow from seed, collect some dried seeds from the plants in the fall. Seeds need four to six weeks of cold stratification for germination. Either direct sow the seeds in the garden (plant about a quarter inch into the soil) in the fall or refrigerate them for six to eight weeks before planting to grow seedlings indoors.
Types of Blazing Star
Many species of blazing star have increased in popularity over the years because of the pollinator movement, which encourages gardeners to plant natives and other nectar sources for essential beneficial insects like bees. In addition, a few varieties offer dwarf habits for smaller spaces and reduced flopping.
'Floristan White' Blazing Star
Liatris spicata 'Floristan White' may reach 3 feet tall. Its leafy stems carry long spikes of creamy white flower heads at their tips. Zones 4-9
'Kobold' Blazing Star
Liatris spicata 'Kobold' is one of the best varieties for cutting. Its robust spikes of bright purple flowers appear in early summer. It grows about 2 feet tall. Zones 4-9
Blazing Star Companion Plants
Shasta Daisy
Easy, always fresh, and always eye-catching, Shasta daisy is a longtime favorite. All cultivars produce white daisy flowers in various degrees of doubleness and size. The sturdy stems and long vase life make the flowers unbeatable for cutting. Taller varieties may need staking. Zones 5-8
Helenium
Long-blooming helenium lights up the late-season garden with showy daisy flowers in yellows, browns, and mahogany, centered with prominent yellow or brown discs. Many of the best cultivars are hybrids. All are excellent for cutting. Zones 3-9
Artemisia
Grow artemisias for the magnificent silver foliage that complements nearly all other perennials and ties together diverse colors within the garden. They're nothing short of stunning next to white or blue flowers. They thrive in hot, dry, sunny conditions like a south-facing slope. A number spread rapidly to the point of being aggressive, so consider limiting to well-behaved varieties. Zones 3-9
Garden Plans for Blazing Star
Prairie Garden Plan
This garden plan is alive with color from pollinator favorites (like blazing stars, coneflowers,and phlox). It’s also filled with blooming perennials and ornamental grasses that are native to the Midwest. Like any true prairie garden, it thrives in full sun and is fairly low-maintenance, but it may need supplemental watering during the first year as the plants establish themselves.
No-Fuss Bird and Butterfly Garden Plan
If you are looking for a low-maintenance way to invite beneficial pollinators (like butterflies, birds, hummingbirds, and bees) to your garden, this collection of easy-care perennials might be just the thing. The plan includes time-tested pollinator powerhouses like bee balm, aster, catmint, and black-eyed susan, but it also includes a rainbow of colors that will delight both people and pollinators alike.
Easy Street-Side Garden Plan
Take that strip of land between the sidewalk and street from ho-hum to humming with a simple garden plan designed to entice bees, butterflies, and other beneficial bugs into the space. This plan features colorful blooms and foliage that will look good all summer long and a few fall-blooming plants (like aster, goldenrod, and turtlehead to extend the show until frost appears.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How did blazing star get its name?Blazing star gets its name from its flowers. They appear on tall stalks, blooming from the top down rather than from the bottom up, similar to sparklers.
Blazing star gets its name from its flowers. They appear on tall stalks, blooming from the top down rather than from the bottom up, similar to sparklers.
- Why aren't my blazing stars blooming?If your plants are new, they won't bloom right away. If they're established, make sure the soil is fertilized enough for them to get the nutrients they need to grow each spring. Also, make sure there's plenty of sunlight for them.
If your plants are new, they won't bloom right away. If they're established, make sure the soil is fertilized enough for them to get the nutrients they need to grow each spring. Also, make sure there's plenty of sunlight for them.