Liatris scariosa – Large Blazing Star (B&B.DR.DRGHT.H.HMR.MTH.NB.OP.SHWY)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

It is clump-forming and grows up to 2 feet wide and 1.5  to 3 feet tall. Blooms appear midsummer to fall and flowers are fimbriated or dissected due to the protruding style branches. This Liatris has distinctive extra large flower heads, on long peduncles. The number of florets per head is greater than in most of the other blazing stars. The stems are stiff, erect, and loaded with short, grass-like leaves.

This plant requires full sun to light shade in well-drained soils. It is tolerant of heat loads and is intolerant of wet winter soils. It is best grown from corms rather than seeds.

This plant is found in dry woods and clearings in addition to being utilized in perennial beds, as a background plant, as a specimen plant, or as dried cut flowers. It adds a tall vertical accent to the back of the border.

Host plant for the larvae of both the Liatris flower moth (Schinia sanguinea) and the Liatris borer moth (Carmenta anthracipennis).