Growing Liatris, Blazing Star Plants by Garden Hobbies

Visit our Sister Sites:

The Gardener's Net
Pumpkin Nook
Holiday Insights

Growing Liatris, Blazing Star

Perennial

Liatris, also called "Blazing Star" is a hardy, perennial, native to prairies of North America. It produces stiff spikes, covered with fuzzy purple flowerets. Classified as a wildflower, these attractive, easy to grow flowers have become popular in home gardens, especially in drier areas of the country.

Most Blazing Star varieties grow two to four feet tall, with some as large as five feet. Flowers are good fresh, or in dried arrangements.

Propagation:

Blazing Stars can be started from seed. Sow seeds directly into the flowerbed, as early as the ground can be worked.

They can also be propagated by dividing the tuberous roots of established plants.

How to Grow Blazing Stars:

Grow Blazing Stars in full sun. If grown in flower gardens, space 12" to 14" apart.

They will do well in average soils. The soil needs to be well draining. The tuberous roots can rot in wet soil. They are tolerant of dry soil conditions. Water them only during extended dry periods.

Adding little fertilizer a couple times a season, will reward you with bigger, healthier plants and flowers.

Tuberous roots will spread, producing more plants. It's important to dig them up every 3-4 years and divide them. Otherwise, plants will be overcrowded, resulting in smaller plants and blooms.

Insect and Disease:

Insect and disease problems are infrequent. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with insecticides, repellents, or fungicide.

More Information:

Buy Flower, Vegetable and Herb Seeds Finest quality Ferry Morse Seed, America's oldest seed company with their famous "guarantee to grow".

Buy Bulbs Now! Find all your favorite bulbs, and much more.

The Compact ComposTumbler is the perfect solution for people who want to convert kitchen and yard waste into, rich, organic compost.

Buy a Composter now