Dense Blazing Star
Dense blazing star grows 2 to 5 feet tall
By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY
Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata) is a gorgeous fall wildflower with striking spikes of rose-purple flowers. The foot-long flower spikes are dense with stemless feathery flowers that bloom from the top down over 2-3 weeks. Plant with other tall species such as goldenrods and grasses to keep the tall, slender flower spikes upright. Also called spiked blazing star, marsh blazing star, and dense gayfeather, dense blazing star grows 2-5 feet tall in moist soils in full sun. It spreads by self-seeding and new underground corms. Butterflies and bees flock to Liatris spicata in the fall. Birds eat the attracted insects as well as the seeds. It is a larval host for two moths. Dense blazing star is blooming now in the meadow at Sopchoppy Depot Park.