Blazing Stars In The Garden

BLAZING STARS IN THE GARDEN

By

Frank W. Porter

Porterbrook Native Plants

Species of Liatris, commonly known as Blazing Star or Gayfeathers, offer some of the most striking blooms during the hot and dry months of summer. All of the Liatris species are perennials that grow from a thickened rootstock. Their leaves are alternate and entire. Liatris flowers are unusual because they bloom from the top of the inflorescence down instead of from the bottom up. The showy inflorescence exhibits intense shades from a light purple to a rose-purple to white.


In the wild, each species of Liatris inhabits a different ecosystem. Some thrive in moist meadows, while others prefer dry prairies, rocky outcrops, sand dunes, and shale barrens. The one thing they all have in common is the need for at least one-half a day of sun.


Native Americans discovered various medicinal uses of Liatris. The Cherokee, for example, devised a decoction of the root to relieve intestinal gas, increase urination, and ease backache. Folk medicine uses included treatment of sore throats, kidney stones, and gonorrhea. Another unusual use of Liatris among Native Americans involved chewing the corm and then blowing it up the nostrils of horses to keep them from getting out of breath.


Nothing is more suited for later summer color in a dry location in your garden than Liatris. All of the Liatris species are easy to grow. The difficulty arises from which species to choose for your garden. In the southeastern United States, there are an estimated twenty-two species. We can divide these species into two groups. One group develops an inflorescence that is wand-like in appearance. These inflorescences can range from six inches to as much as two feet in length. The other group has inflorescences on which the individual florets are borne on short petioles that appear as buttons or carnation-like flowers.


Liatris spicata, Marsh Blazing Star, is the most common species grown by gardeners. Unlike other species of Liatris, it prefers moist, open meadows. Liatris pycnostachys, Prairie or Cattail Blazing Star, is the tallest of the species, reaching nearly six feet in height. Its florescence can be nearly two feet in length. Liatris microcephala, Dwarf Blazing Star, is the smallest of the species, seldom growing more than eighteen inches in height. However, its inflorescence appears like a purple fountain emerging from the soil. It is perfectly suited for the rock garden or as a border along a path. Liatris squarrosa, Scaly Blazing Star, has deep green, shiny, leathery foliage with unique large, well-stalked , button flowers that appear in late summer. Liatris aspera, Rough Blazing Star, possesses long flower spikes with each producing a one-inch lavender-tasseled flower. Liatris cylindracea, Cylindric Blazing Star, may have few heads, some even solitary, but nevertheless has numerous florets. The bracts are tightly appressed in a cylinder. It is an excellent candidate for rocky, open woods, bluffs, and prairies. And it prefers alkaline soil. Liatris ligulistylis, Meadow Blazing Star, produces crimson-red buds that open to reveal brilliant purple/pink flowers. It is unsurpassed in attracting Monarch butterflies.


Some Liatris are rare and distinct from the above species. Liatris hellerii, Heller’s Blazing Star, is a federally endangered species that only grows in a very specific habitat.This species was probably never common due to its restricted and isolated habitat requirements. Because there are so few sites left, Heller’s Blazing Star has become vulnerable to seemingly minor threats such as trampling by hikers, climbers, and sightseers. Heller’s Blazing Star produces one or more flowering stalks, which rise above a rosette of narrow basal leaves and culminate in a stalk of lavender flowers. Liatris mucronata, Bottlebrush Blazing Star, has long, needle-like leaves that resemble a bottlebrush and has attractive purple flowers. Liatris scariosa nieuwlandii, Savannah Blazing Star, is a very rare species found growing on the south shores of the Great Lakes. With pink flowers and wide leaves, it makes a striking impression in the garden. Liatris odoratissima, Deer’s Tongue or Vanilla Plant, does not possess a corm but rather develops fibrous roots. It flowers in September and October. The leaves, when dry, have a pleasant vanilla odor.


With so many species of Liatris from which to choose, gardeners can create a panorama of color, height, and foliage to brighten their summer and fall gardens. One way to maximize the effect of Liatris is to create a tiered garden design in which the taller species are placed in the back. The middle area would contain the species reaching between two and three feet. And the front would be a border of the more diminutive species, such as Liatris microcephala. As an added bonus, this small garden would become a haven for butterflies.



This article was first published by the Marietta Register