What they do
Blazing stars provide a tall, easy-to-find bloom spike that many pollinators visit repeatedly.
Plant profile
Blazing stars
Genus Liatris
Blazing stars (Liatris) are upright, purple-pink wildflowers that bloom in showy spikes and are well-loved by many pollinators. They’re a strong choice for sunny gardens, borders, and meadow-style plantings.
Plant Type
Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Blazing stars
Aliases
Blazing star, gayfeather
Native Range
Native to parts of North America (range varies by species within the genus).
Bloom window
Mid-to-late season blooms on tall spikes
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Blazing stars (genus Liatris) are classic “look up!” wildflowers: tall stems, bright spikes, and lots of small flowers packed together. In a garden, they act like a beacon—easy for people to spot and easy for pollinators to return to.
If you’re building a pollinator patch, blazing stars work best when you plant a few together in a sunny place. They pair nicely with other sturdy, sun-loving perennials and help keep your garden blooming later into the season.
For best results, focus on the basics: sun, drainage, and avoiding pesticides—especially while the plant is flowering. Once established, blazing stars are generally low-fuss and can become a reliable part of a pollinator-friendly planting.
Best role for pollinators
Sunny gardens that need a strong vertical accent and reliable pollinator activity
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Blazing star, gayfeather |
| Bloom window | Mid-to-late season blooms on tall spikes |
| Typical height | Medium to tall, upright spikes |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Butterflies |
| Light & moisture | Sun; average moisture (avoid constantly soggy soil) |
| Best roles for pollinators | Sunny gardens that need a strong vertical accent and reliable pollinator activity |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
Sun, decent drainage, and a little patience while the plant settles in.
One best action
Plant blazing stars in a small group in a sunny spot for a bigger, more noticeable patch of blooms.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
Blazing stars are a practical way to add more pollinator-friendly blooms and vertical structure, especially in sunny spaces where you want reliable mid-to-late season flowers.
Blazing star spikes are made of many tiny flowers, so a single stem can feed visitors over a longer stretch as the florets open.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Adds mid-to-late season flowers that help keep your garden’s bloom calendar going.
- Creates a clear “landing zone” for pollinators with many small florets packed into one spike.
- Brings height and structure to mixed plantings without needing constant care.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Look for tall, upright stems topped with a bottlebrush-like spike of purple-pink flowers.
Leaves
Narrow leaves; often more noticeable near the base, giving the plant a tidy, upright look.
Flowers
Purple-pink (sometimes lighter) fuzzy-looking flower spikes made of many tiny florets.
Fruits
After flowering, the spent heads dry and can be left for seasonal interest; remove if you prefer a tidier look.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Open sunny areas
- Meadow-like settings
- Prairie-style plantings
Where it is often used
- Pollinator garden
- Sunny border
- Meadow-style planting
- Cut flower (leave plenty of blooms for pollinators first)
- Large containers (choose a deep pot and don’t let it stay waterlogged)
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Blazing stars are especially helpful when you want strong color and pollinator activity later in the growing season.
Bloom Season Role: A mid-to-late season nectar stop when many gardens start to fade
Seasonal benefits
- Helps bridge the gap between early-season flowers and fall bloomers
- Pairs well with other sun-loving perennials for a longer-lasting display
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Plant in full sun for the strongest stems and best flowering.
Soil type
Most garden soils work if they drain well; avoid spots that stay soggy.
Moisture needs
Water to establish, then aim for steady, moderate moisture—let the top of the soil dry a bit between waterings.
Planting method
Plant in groups for a fuller look and easier foraging; give each plant enough space for airflow.
Mulching tips
Use a light layer of mulch to reduce weeds, but keep mulch from piling up against the crown.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Choose a sunny spot with soil that doesn’t stay wet after rain.
- Loosen the soil and remove weeds so young plants don’t have to compete.
- Plant and water in well; keep evenly moist while the plant settles in.
- Add a light mulch layer to help with weeds, leaving space around the base of the plant.
- Label the spot—blazing stars can be slow to show up early in the season.
Seasonal care
- Water during long dry spells, especially in the first year.
- Stake only if needed; strong sun and not-too-rich soil usually keeps stems sturdy.
- Deadhead for a tidier look, or leave some spent stems for seasonal interest.
- Cut back old stems after they’ve finished for the season, when you’re ready to tidy up.
What not to do
- Planting in shade and wondering why the stems flop or blooms are sparse.
- Keeping the soil constantly wet.
- Spraying for pests while the plant is in bloom.
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Early-blooming native wildflowers
- Spring bulbs (in mixed borders)
Mid-Season Bloom
- Coneflowers
- Black-eyed Susans
- Bee balm
Late-Season Bloom
- Asters
- Goldenrods
- Late-blooming native wildflowers
Different species within Liatris vary in height and moisture preference, so if you’re shopping, check the tag and pick one that matches your site (especially if your soil is on the dry side or tends to stay damp).
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few quick terms you might see on plant tags or garden guides:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Pollinators supported
Species that benefit from this plant
Bee flies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
View pollinator profile
Brushfoots
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
View pollinator profile
Bumble bees
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
View pollinator profile
Flower flies / hoverflies
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
View pollinator profile
Hawk / sphinx moths
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
View pollinator profile
Leafcutter bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
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Mason bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
View pollinator profile
Mining bees
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
View pollinator profile
Paper wasps
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
View pollinator profile
Silkmoths (giant moths)
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
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Skippers
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
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Small nectar moths (micro-moths)
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
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Soldier beetles
Many adults visit flowers and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
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Swallowtails
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
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Sweat bees
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
View pollinator profile
Whites & sulphurs
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
View pollinator profile
Regions
Where this plant is native
Sierras of Jalisco and Michoacán with Conifer, Oak, and Mixed Forests
This region is a set of temperate mountain landscapes where conifer, oak, and mixed forests create layered habitat—from sunny edges and clearings to shaded understories.
Explore region profile