Liatris spicata – Dense Blazing Star

Perhaps the showiest of the Blazing Stars with wands of flowers densely packed with individual florets – hence the common name. Another name, Marsh Blazing Star, reflects the proclivity of the species for wet habitats in the wild. Despite that preference, the species adapts readily to the garden and it’s easily the most commonly available species in horticulture. It’s a long-lived plant that just seems to get showier every year. Like all Blazing Stars, this is a great butterfly and bee plant. Swamp Milkweed, Turtlehead, Cardinal Flower, New York Ironweed and Culver’s Root make great companions.