Blazing Star Plant

Blazing star plants for sale here are Liatris, also called gayfeather, the native prairie perennial that sends up fuzzy purple spikes in midsummer. We ship them bare-root in packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500, for pollinator beds, cut-flower rows, prairie plantings and wholesale buyers.

Blazing Star Size, Zones and Sun

Flower stalks rise 3 to 6 feet from a clump only about a foot wide, so it adds height without taking much ground. It's hardy in zones 3 to 9 and wants full sun, six hours or more. Soil can be clay, loam or sand, as long as it drains. It likes some moisture but handles an occasional dry spell.

Blazing Star Flowers and Leaves

Narrow, grass-like leaves form a tuft at the base. The flower spikes run 6 to 12 inches long, packed with fuzzy purple, pink or white blooms that open from the top down, the opposite of most spike flowers. Blooms peak in midsummer, and the seed heads stay interesting afterward.

Blazing Star and Pollinators

Bees and butterflies crowd the spikes, and goldfinches eat the seed. Leave some cut stems standing 12 to 24 inches over winter, since native bees nest in them. Our perennials that attract pollinators and add beauty article lists more plants to pair with it.

Where to Plant Blazing Star

Prairie plantings, sunny borders, cutting rows and the back of a bed all suit it. Set plants 12 to 18 inches apart. Tall spikes look best in drifts of five or more, and the upright form sets off round-headed flowers like coneflower. For hot, dry spots, see our low-maintenance summer color for hot, dry yards.

Planting Blazing Star Bare-root

Soak the roots for an hour, then plant with the crown just under the surface and the roots spread. Firm the soil and water well. Water weekly through the first summer, and mulch lightly without covering the crown.

Buying Blazing Star in Bulk

At 12 inches apart a pack of 50 covers about 50 square feet, and 500 plants cover about 500. Packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500 let you match an order to a cutting row or a full meadow.

Good to Know About Blazing Star

Tall stems may flop in rich soil or shade, so a spot with full sun and lean soil keeps them upright, and a stake or a sturdy neighbor helps if they lean. Deer browse it only lightly. Plants may take a year to settle in before they bloom heavily.

Blazing Star for Cutting and Drying

The spikes last well in a vase and dry nicely, which makes blazing star a good cut flower. Cut when a third to half of the blooms are open. A row of it gives market growers and florists a steady summer crop.

Blazing Star Plant Sizes, Packs and Shipping

Blazing star plants ship bare-root in packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500. Volume pricing available. Browse more wholesale perennials for sale.