Dense blazing star Liatris spicata
Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Eastern United States (moist prairies and meadows). It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Dense blazing star in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Dense blazing star at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern United States (moist prairies and meadows) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Dense blazing star toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic by ASPCA or standard poison references for Liatris.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Dense blazing star
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Dense blazing star in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Missouri Botanical Garden (12 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (12 plants)
Questions about Dense blazing star
- How far apart should I plant Dense blazing star?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Dense blazing star need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Dense blazing star need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Dense blazing star?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Dense blazing star flower?
- From about July for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Dense blazing star poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not listed as toxic by ASPCA or standard poison references for Liatris.
- What grows well with Dense blazing star?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Dense blazing star. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Grows from a corm; spikes open from the top down. Corms rot in wet winter soil.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus