Dense Blazing Star
By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY
The vibrant flowers of dense blazing star (Liatris spicata) are eye-catching in fall. Feathery spikes of tubular pink-purple flowers bloom from the top down on stems 3-6 feet tall. The slender dense flower spikes (up to 2 feet long) are magnets for butterflies and bees and feed the caterpillars of 2 moths. The flower heads turn fluffy tan and produce seeds that goldfinches enjoy. Dense blazing star self-seeds and its underground corm produces new corms. It prefers full sun and moist soil. Other common names include dense gayfeather, marsh blazing star, and marsh gayfeather. The tall, top-heavy flower stalks benefit from staking or planting with other tall species, such as grasses, goldenrods, and sunflowers that provide support. Dense blazing star is blooming now in the meadow at Sopchoppy Depot Park.
