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One of North America's most extraordinary and eye-catching native perennial flowers, Liatis pycnostachya, commonly known as Prairie Blazing Star, is perhaps the tallest of the Liatris species. It forms an upright clump reaching up to 5 feet in height and 2 feet wide with basal tufts of narrow, elongated leaves. In mid to late summer, it features tall cylindrical spikes packed with rounded, fluffy, rose-purple flowers that hummingbirds, butterflies, and beneficial pollinators will flock to. The flowers open top to bottom on the spike, hence the name "blazing star," and are excellent for cutting and displaying in a vase or flower arrangement. It is drought tolerant when established and not bothered by pests or disease. 

Growing 3 to 5 feet tall in a clump 12 to 18 inches wide, Prairie Blazing Star is ideal for use as an accent in smaller garden spaces or grouped in perennial and cut flower garden borders. Its upright growth habit also serves well as a centerpiece or vertical accent in container gardens. It is a fine addition to cut flower gardens, hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, native gardens, cottage gardens, meadow gardens, wildflower gardens, purple theme gardens, and the Xeriscape (low water needs).

Blazing Star is very easy to grow in moist, well-drained soil and full sun to mostly sun for best flowering. It is exceptionally drought-tolerant when established. It can be cut back to just above the ground in winter or early spring. 

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