Image of Liatris spicata
Source: OWSL
image of Flowering plant
Liatris spicata
Dense Blazing Star
Liatris à épi

Obsolete Names

florist gayfeather
marsh blazing-star
marsh gayfeather
sessile blazing-star
sessile-headed blazing-star
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Medium
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Pink Bloom period: Jul - Sep
Max Height: 5.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
plant endangered This plant is endangered

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: No

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Liatris spicata
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Liatris spicata

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Liatris spicata

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Perovskia Atriplicifolia (Russian Sage)
  • Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
  • Lavandula) (Lavender)
  • Hesperis matronalis (Dame Rocket)
  • Liatris (Blazing Star Cultivar)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator: Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
  • Harvesting mean: Shake seed head in paper bag
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.