Unbranched stalks bear dense spikes of rose-purple, purple or violet flowers in July and August on strong stems. The nectar-rich flowers are a favorite with butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. Songbirds love the seed.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Prairie Blazing Star
Liatris pycnostachya
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Prairie
Season of Interest: Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Purple
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Photo: Mervin Wallace

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Soil
Moisture
Moderate, High

Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects

Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Nectar, Food/Birds, Food/Pollinators

Animal
Resistance
Deer Resistant
Size
Height:
30 to
50
inches
Spread:
12 to
24
inches
Size
Height: 30 to
50
inches
Spread: 12 to
24
inches
Size
Height: 30 to
50
inches
Spread: 12 to
24
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Perennial borders, cutting gardens, native plant gardens, butterfly gardens, naturalized areas, prairies or meadows.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil but will grow in drier conditions.
Special Features
Special Usage
Dried Flower, Fresh Cut Flower
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.