Simple landscape ideas

Blazing Stars

Liatris
A genus of tuberous rooted, mostly summer blooming perennials that are part of the larger Aster family. All species are native to North America.
Prefer full sun to partial shade on fertile soil.
They can multiple rapidly and are easy to reproduce from seed, division ( every 3 to 4 years but not required ) during autumn or spring and root cuttings. Most are drought resistant as well as tolerant to heat, fire, salt, hail and deer.


* photo taken on Aug 3 2011 in Hyde Park, NY


Liatris acidota ( Sharp Blazing Star )
A perennial, reaching up to 3 x 1 foot, that is native to moist sites in Texas and southwestern Louisiana.
It bears deep lavender flowers during mid summer.
Hardy zones 7 to 9.

Liatris aspera ( Rough Blazing Star )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6.6 x 2 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to central North America ( from central North Dakota to southern Ontario; south to Texas to South Carolina. It may also be native to far southern Manitoba.
The linear leaves are up to 16 inches in length.
The pinkish-purple flowers are borne on elegant spikes during late summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.

* photos of unknown internet source



Liatris elegans
A fast growing perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 6.5 feet.
The purplish-pink flowers are borne all summer long.
Hardy zones 8 to 9

Liatris graminifolia
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 feet x 20 inches, that is native to the eastern U.S.
The very narrow leaves are up to 12 inches in length.
Hardy zones 3 to 9

Liatris ligulistylis ( Meadow Blazing Star )
A very attractive perennial, reaching up to 6 ( rarely over 3 ) feet in height, that is native to sandy prairies in central North America ( Alberta to Wisconsin; south to northern New Mexico and Colorado to southern Illinois ).
The very narrow, drooping leaves are up to 6 inches in length.
The profuse flowers are deep red in bud, opening to purple. The flowers are borne late summer into early autumn. The flowers are highly attractive to Monarch Butterflies.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in full sun on moist, fertile soil.

Liatris microcephela ( Appalatian Blazing Star )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 1.5 ( rarely over 2 ) feet, that is native to dry sandy prairies in the southern Appalation Mountains. Great for borders, rock gardens and containers.
The fine-textured, linear leaves are glossy green. The grassy foliage forms attractive, compact clumps when not in bloom.
The purplish-pink flowers are borne on abundant spikes during late summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade. A low maintenance plant that is very tolerant of dry clay and hot summers.

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* video found on Youtube


Liatris novae-angliae ( Northern Blazing Star )
Also called L. borealis. A perennial, reaching maximum height of 3 feet that is native from New England, south to eastern New York State.
The reddish-purple flowers are borne on panicles during late summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 7 in full sun to partial shade on dry sandy soil.

Liatris punctata ( Dotted Blazing Star )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 2 ( averaging 2 ) feet, that is native to grasslands of North America ( from Alberta to Manitoba to Wisconsin; south to New Mexico to Arkansas ). It makes a great rock garden plant.
The purplish-pink flowers are borne on abundant, dense panicles during late summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun to partial shade on just about any well drained soil. It is deep rooted and very drought tolerant.

Liatris pycnostachya ( Kansas Blazing Star )
A vigorous, clumping perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 2 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to the central U.S. ( South Dakota to Wisconsin and Indiana; south to Texas to Louisiana ).
The very narrow leaves are up to 16 inches in length.
The bright purple flowers are borne on bottlebrush-like panicles up to 30 inches in length during mid to late summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in full sun to partial shade. It requires well drained soil, especially during winter.

* photo of unknown internet source


Alba
White flowers.

Alexander
Purple flowers and deep green foliage.

Eureka
Reaches up to 5 feet.

Liatris scariosa ( Tall Blazing Star )
A long lived perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 2 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, that is native to the eastern U.S. from the southern Pennsylvania mountains, south to northern Georgia and South Carolina.
The very narrow leaves, up to 12 inches in length, are deep green.
Large button flowers borne on spikes during late summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun to partial shade.

September Glory
Reaches a maximum height of 5 ( rarely over 3 ) feet, with deep purple flowers.

White Spires
Reaches a maximum size of 4 x 3 feet, with white flowers.

Liatris spicata ( Dense Blazing Star )
A perennial, reaching up to 6.5 feet x 32 inches ( rarely over 3 feet ), that is native to moist meadows in the U.S. from Missouri to Wisconsin to central Michigan to Maine; south to Louisiana to Florida. Endangered in the wild in Ontario, Canada and its range is scattered over much of its natural range in the U.S..
The linear leaves, up to 16 inches in length, form a low grassy clump.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
The purplish-pink flowers are borne on dense, bottlebrush-like spikes, up to 30 inches in length, during mid-summer, often lasting into early autumn. The flowers look great with orange Daylilies and blue flowers.
The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Small birds eat the seeds but if unsightly, the old flower stalks can be cut down after the first fall frost.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in full sun on moist, fertile, well drained soil. Tolerates much poorer sites but does not enjoy winter wetness ( however tolerates wet soil more than other species ). Drought tolerant. Long lived and does not need dividing. Deer resistant but powdery mildew may be a problem on sites with poor air circulation.
Easy to grow from seed.

* photos taken on June 28 2011 in Columbia, MD





* photo of unknown internet source


August Glory
Flowers are deep blue-purple.

Floristan Violet
Vigorous in habit, reaching a maximum height of 6 ( rarely over 4 ) feet with deep violet flowers borne on large, sturdy spikes.

Floristan White
Reaches a maximum height of 6 ( rarely over 4 ) feet with white flowers borne on large spikes. Looks good mixed with Floristan Violet.

* photos taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europes premier plant nursery


Kobold
Compact in habit, reaching a maximum size of 4 x 2.5 ( rarely over 2.5 ) feet with purplish-pink to light purple flowers borne on spikes up to 15 inches in length, during summer.
The leaves are up to 10 inches in length.

* photos taken on June 10 2013 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on Aug 1 2013 in Goderich, Ontario

* photo taken on Aug 2 2013 in Stratford, Ontario


Floristan White
Reaches up to 4 feet with white flowers.

Liatris squarrosa ( Scaly Blazing Star )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 3 feet, that is native to eastern North America, from South Dakota to southern Michigan to Maryland; south to eastern Texas to Florida.
The leaves are up to 12 inches in length.
Hardy zones 3 to 8